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THE PLAY 

OF 

AUCTION HANDS 



THE PLAY 

OF 

AUCTION HANDS 



ONE HUNDRED HANDS ILLUSTRATED 
AND ANALYZED, THE FIRST SEVENTY- 
TWO HANDS EXPLAINING THE PLAY 
OF DECLARANT, AND THE BALANCE 
OF TWENTY-EIGHT, THE PLAY OF OP- 
PONENTS OF DECLARANT, BESIDES A 
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FEATURES OF 
AUCTION BIDDING AND CONVENTIONS 

> 

j^ BY 

E; E. DENISON 




BOSTON 
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 



.31 4: 



Copyright. 1922, by 
LOTHROP, LEE A SHEPARD CO. 



PRINTED IN U. S. A. 



FEB -3 1922 



v; 



0)ttA654483 



PREFACE 

This book assumes a general knowledge of the 
game of Auction, and, with the exception of some 
discussion of certain features of bidding and 
conventions, treats mainly of the play of hands, 
both as declarant and as opponent of declarant. 

Many hands are colorless, or, if somewhat in- 
teresting, do not require any special play. In some 
hands, going game may depend on guessing which 
finesse to take in one of two suits ; or whether to 
hold up or not to hold up when having a suit twice 
stopped if left-hand adversary is in the lead, as 
going game may then depend on which adversary 
has an adverse Ace. It is very difficult, if not 
impossible, to lay down general rules that will 
enable one to know just how to play any given 
hand, since the situations constantly change and 
the combinations of cards vary so, that one has to 
know not only what card to play, but when said 
card should be played. 

Of the illustrative hands, all but ten are given 
substantially as they occurred in actual play, ex- 
cept a few that have been changed slightly to 
illustrate the particular point of play. The hands 
are grouped or classified according to the feature 
of play involved, and show the principles of play 
that usually occur in practice. Some hands that 
occur are not sufficiently distinctive to be placed 
in any one group, while others involve several 
principles of play, so that such hands could prop- 
erly be placed in any one of several groups. 
While generally, with hands that have some fea- 
ture of play, it may not be possible to tell in what 
group, if any, they belong, until a number of 
tricks have been played, nevertheless hands do oc- 
cur with sufficient frequency in which knowing 
the play of the illustrative hands ought to be of 
assistance, if the player, as soon as he sees dummy, 
can tell in what group the hand belongs. 

E. E. Denison. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Preface v 

Index to Hands vii 

I Third- and Fourth-Hand Declarations 9 

II The Informatory Double 15 

III When to Cover 20 

IV The Echo 22 

V Suit Placing 25 

VI False-Carding 29 

VII Card Distributions 33 

VIII The Play of Declarant 38 

IX The Play of Declarant's Opponents 47 

X Making Out the Hands 50 

XI Illustrative Hands 55 

Preface to Laws 259 

The Laws and Etiquette of Auction 261 

Index to Laws 283 



VI 



INDEX 



DECLARANT'S PLAY 
Group I, Nos. 1 to 3 pages 

Compelling Adversaries to lead a certain 
suit or else allow a discard in one hand 

and a ruff in the other 57- 61 

Group II. Nos. 4 to 7 

Forcing Discards 63- 69 

Group III, Nos. 8 to 15 

Double Entry and Making an Entry Card 71- 85 
Group IV, Nos. 16 to 19 

Finessing and Ducking 87- 93 

Group V, Nos. 20 to 23 

Holding Up 95-101 

Group VI, Nos. 24 to 31 

Refusing to Finesse and Not Holding Up 103-117 
Group VII, Nos. 32 to 37 

Making a Suit and Choosing the Right Suit 119-129 
Group VIII, Nos. 38 to 42 

Trump and Suit Management 131-139 

Group IX, Nos. 43 to 46 

The Ruff and Cross-Ruff 141-147 

Group X, Nos. 47 to 51 

Refusing a Force and Saving a Force 149-157 

Group XI, Nos. 52 to 61 

Inference and Counting 159-177 

Group XII, Nos. 62 to 64 

Freak Hands 179-183 

Group Y, Nos. 65 to 72 

Undesignated Deals 185-199 

PLAY OF DECLARANT'S OPPONENTS 

Group I, Nos. 73 to 75 

The Force 201-205 

Group II, Nos. 76 to 79 

Avoiding Forcing Declarant 207-213 

Group III, Nos. 80 to 84 

Abandoning a Suit 215-223 

Group IV, Nos. 85 to 87 

Preventing Declarant Making a Suit in 

Dummy 225-229 

Group V, Nos. 88 to 90 

Discarding 231-235 

Group VI, Nos. 91 to 96 

Inference and Counting 237-247 

Group Z, Nos. 97 to 100 

Undesignated Deals 249-255 

vii 



THIRD- HAND AND FOURTH -HAND 
DECLARATIONS 

The third-hand player after two passes should 
bid with any hand that fulfils the requirements of 
an initial bid, even though the balance of the 
strength may be in fourth hand. The aggressive 
announcement pays in the long run, and even with 
a light no-trumper a bid is warranted when op- 
ponents have an advance score. A bid merely to 
indicate a lead in case fourth hand makes a decla- 
ration, is also sound. But for such a bid, the 
player should at least have a five- or six-card suit 
that can be established in one round, together with 
no re-entry, (when having a re-entry the player, 
of course, has a bid anyway) or else a possible re- 
entry, together with a suit that can be established 
in one round if partner happens to have an honor 
in the suit. 

Bidding on a Queen high or Jack high suit 
merely to indicate a lead, usually does not pay and 
should not be made. With such a holding, to- 
gether with some assistance in two other suits, it 
is better to allow partner to lead his suit, as the 
hand will help establish any one of three out of 
four suits partner may open. 

When partner has bid one no-trump, there are 
two types of hands which should be bid three in a 
minor suit, to indicate strength for either bid. 
Besides the commonly used strength take-out, 
holding unusual length and strength in a minor 
suit together with a singleton or none of a suit, 



10 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

are the hands that contain an initial minor suit 
bid of one and that are also strong enough for the 
informatory double. 

The following hands illustrate the value of the 
strength take-out in such cases : 

North deals and bids one no-trump at a love 
score and his partner (South) holding, 

Spades Jack 2 

Hearts King 10 9 2 

Clubs Ace Queen Jack 3 2 

Diamonds Ace King 

should bid three clubs. Suppose the dealer held, 

Spades Queen 9 

Hearts Ace Queen 4 3 

Clubs King 10 4 

Diamonds Queen Jack 10 2 

he does not return to the no-trump declaration as 
he has assistance in partner's club suit. Hence, 
with a spade opening, it is game at clubs but not 
at no-trumps. It is a mistake with South's hand to 
assume, because so strong in three suits, partner 
must have the weak spade suit stopped ; yet latter 
has a real no-trumper, having three suits stopped 
and two Queens above average. As it is not un- 
usual for the bidder of a no-trumper to be weak 
in the same suit as partner, the advantage of the 
three minor suit bid as a strength take-out is ob- 
vious, since the original bidder if weak in the 
minor suit take-out of partner, will then return to 
the no-trump declaration. 

Or suppose North bids no-trump and South 
holds, 



THIRD-HAND AND FOURTH-HAND DECLARATIONS 11 



Spades 


Ace Jack 2 


Hearts 


Ace Queen 2 


Clubs 


3 2 


Diamonds 


King Queen Jack 3 2 



he should bid three diamonds, as it is a probable 
sure game at diamonds if partner is weak in 
clubs. 

An Auction saying that prevails to some ex- 
tent is that fourth player after three passes should 
not bid, unless he has a game going declaration. 
The advice should be stated, "Do not bid fourth 
hand after three passes when opponents may have 
a game going declaration." It is foolish to throw 
up a good one no-trump hand, having three or four 
sure tricks, because unable to tell whether game 
can be made or because the hand may be set if 
partner has a "bust." In deciding whether to bid 
or not, the strength or weakness in the major suits 
should influence the decision. 

For example, fourth hand holding, 

Spades Jack 10 8 3 

Hearts Ace 7 6 2 

Clubs Ace King 5 

Diamonds Queen 7 

has a sounder bid after three passes than when 
holding, say, 

Spades Queen 10 8 

Hearts Jack 7 

Clubs Ace King 5 2 

Diamonds Ace 7 6 3 

The two hands are identical in both high and 
low cards, but it is improbable, opponents can go 
game against the former hand, but might go game 
at hearts or spades against the latter hand. 



12 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

When the fourth player at a love score bids one 
in a minor suit after three passes, the partner 
(second player) should bid if possible when there 
is no chance for game at partner's fourth-hand 
declaration. For example, the latter bids one 
club and the second player holds three small 
spades, three small hearts, two small clubs and 
five diamonds headed by Ace Queen; or else 
holds five spades headed by Jack 10, three small 
hearts, two small clubs and three small diamonds. 
The second player with either of the two hands 
mentioned should bid one in the five-card suit, the 
object being not for a rescue nor from a wish to 
get the declaration, but simply to give partner 
(the original fourth hand) an opportunity to 
make another bid, since latter must have either a 
no-trump hand with a chance for game at clubs, or 
else a two-suit hand. 

The main object of bidding is either to go game 
or save game. An initial declaration is made on the 
chance that it may result in a game or in a game 
going declaration by partner, or if not, that it 
will save tricks through indicating a lead. Bids 
should not be made merely for the sake of a score 
towards game, since it seldom happens that the 
side that has, say, twenty-seven, go game until 
they get a hand that will produce game at a love 
score, or at least a score of ten. When, therefore, 
at a love score, two spades have been bid over two 
hearts and there is no chance for game at hearts, 
there is no advantage in forcing adversaries to 
bid three spades if they can make four odd, as, if 
they can not make four odd, game is saved any- 
way. If, however, the adverse score had been 



THIRD-HAND AND FOURTH-HAND DECLARATIONS 13 

twelve in the case just cited, a bid of three hearts 
might save game and so might be justified. While 
it sometimes happens an overline score can be se- 
cured by inducing adversaries to overbid, it is 
nevertheless true, that when unable to go game, 
there is no object in continuing the bidding as 
a rule, unless able to force adversaries to a higher 
declaration than they need to make, to go game. 

Contrary to the belief held by some, when not 
having a chance for game and the adversaries are 
a game in, it is not the time to take a set of three 
or four hundred (or even two hundred) in order 
to prevent adversaries winning the rubber. Since 
they have two chances to one of winning the rub- 
ber, if they eventually win, the set has simply in- 
creased their score; while if the set results in 
their not winning the rubber eventually, it simply 
means that the side that took the set has won the 
two games that would have won the next rubber 
if the set had not been taken. Hence, it would 
seem to be a case of losing an unnecessarily large 
rubber against a chance for little if any gain. 

Another common error is when the adversaries 
are a game in, and the desirable alternative is 
presented of either a set of three or four hundred 
or going game. Many seem to choose to win the 
game, but in latter case if adversaries win the 
rubber (an even chance) they have won a rubber 
of average size, while if the set has been chosen, 
the adversaries make little if any score. On the 
other hand, if the next game is not won by the 
adversaries, and the set had been chosen, there is 
an even chance to win the next game and a large 
score secured. In other words, choosing the set 



14 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

means, either breaking even or winning a rubber 
of double the average size, while choosing to win 
the game means, either winning or losing a rubber 
of average size. It would seem to be a case of not 
risking any loss, with an even chance for large 
gain, if the set is chosen, and is therefore pref- 
erable. 

The situations mentioned in the last two 
paragraphs usually occur on the second or a sub- 
sequent round of the bidding, and so are not nec- 
cessarily a third-hand or fourth-hand declaration. 



II 

THE INFORMATORY DOUBLE 

The one- or two-trick inf ormatory double, while 
it often results in saving game or in winning 
game that could not have been obtained in any 
other way, is one of the most abused conventions 
in Auction. Some players seem to have a pro- 
pensity, with a light no-trumper or even a border- 
liner, to double an adverse declaration, and when 
the partner by the take-out makes contract or 
even game, seem to think it was due to the double, 
whereas it was really due to the fact that he (the 
taking-out partner) held a hand of sufficient 
strength to justify a bid without the double. In 
reality the success of most unwarranted doubles 
are solely due to the fact that partner would have 
bid anyway. 

Another common mistake is to double an ad- 
verse suit bid of one, having the suit stopped. A 
player who is not strong enough to bid no-trumps 
with the suit once stopped, cannot be strong 
enough to double; and, if strong enough to 
double, he should go no-trumps if he has the 
suit stopped, as it is the best chance for game 
unless partner has a game going suit declaration, 
in which case the latter will probably take out any- 
way. 

The informatory double of a two-trick trump 
declaration, however, does not deny having the 
suit once stopped, as the doubler might well not 
like to bid two no-trumps without any knowledge 
as to his partner's hand, especially as the bid 



16 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

would be likely to discourage a possible winning 
take-out by partner. But having the suit that has 
been bid two, twice stopped, and a hand strong 
enough for an inf ormatory double, two no-trumps 
should be bid. 

Sound inf ormatory doubles are no-trump hands 
containing four sure tricks and a possible fifth 
trick. By sure tricks are meant quick tricks, or 
cards that will win on first or second round. For 
example, two Ace-Queen suits or two King-Queen 
suits should be counted as three sure tricks, and 
not four sure tricks, when doubling right-hand op- 
ponent. Also two suits of three or four cards in- 
cluding Ace Jack in each suit may be counted as 
three sure tricks ; two three- or four-card suits in- 
cluding King Jack in each suit as two sure tricks ; 
and two guarded King suits as one sure trick — 
when doubling rightrhand opponent. A guarded 
King, or Queen Jack and small, should be con- 
sidered a possible trick and not a sure trick, but 
guarded Queen or Jack suits should not be con- 
sidered even a possible trick. When doubling 
left-hand opponent, a doubler should be still more 
conservative in determining what constitutes sure 
tricks. 

The best informatory doubles are hands that 
contain, besides the requisite high-card strength, 
suits of three or four cards. A sound double may 
also be made when the hand contains a five-card 
suit with only one honor, especially if a minor suit. 
When the five-card suit is headed by King Jack 
or King Queen, or Ace Jack or Ace Queen, the 
suit declaration is usually preferable to an in- 
formatory double of another suit declaration; 



THE INFORMATORY DOUBLE . 17 

but when an adverse no-trump has been bid 
and the five-card suit of the strength just 
stated is a minor suit, the informatory double is 
usually preferable. It should be borne in mind, 
however, that a hand of the requisite high-card 
strength, including a five-card suit with one or 
two honors, that also contains another five-card 
suit or contains two suits of not more than two 
cards, is not a hand to ask partner to choose the 
declaration by using the informatory double con- 
vention. 

When opponents have an advanced score, a 
light no-trumper or even a border-liner may jus- 
tify the use of the informatory double, and part- 
ner should recognize that such a double may be 
a score-double, made merely in the hope of saving 
game, and therefore should not count too much on 
the usual assistance from doublets hand, that he 
would have a right to expect if opponents were at 
a love score. When in such cases, the taking-out 
partner is in doubt whether to advance his own 
declaration, opponents having advanced their 
declaration to two no-trump or a three-trick suit 
bid, it is usually better to retire from the bidding. 
Continuing the bidding with the expectation of 
being set so as to save game is apt to be expensive, 
since if partner had a real double, game is prob- 
ably saved anyway, and if a score-double, there 
is a fighting chance opponents cannot make their 
contract. An informatory double made by 
player who has previously passed is obviously a 
score-double. 

When opponents are at a love score on a game 
which if they win gives them the rubber, and 



18 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

make a bid, it is a common mistake to overcall or 
use the informatory double with a hand that 
would otherwise pass. Such players on getting 
the declaration and either making contract or 
falling a trick or two short of contract, seem to 
reason they thereby saved the rubber on that 
deal ; or sometimes, on realizing afterwards that 
adversary could not have made his contract, the 
wish is expressed that the overline penalty had 
been secured by allowing the initial declaration 
to stand. It is the fear of losing the rubber that 
prompts the overcall or informatory double, but 
the fallacy of the reasoning is in assuming the 
initial bidder might go game, and that he or part- 
ner would retire from the bidding, whereas the 
real reason the initial bidder or his partner did 
not continue the declaration or shift to a better 
declaration was because there was no chance for 
game. In other words, when opponents are at a 
love score any hand that justifies an overcall or 
double should be declared; and whether it is 
rubber game or the first game should not affect 
the decision, since it is almost invariably true 
that an adverse declaration will not cause the 
initial bidder or his partner to give up a game 
going declaration, unless they prefer to set op- 
ponents. 

While hands do occur that warrant a bid of 
two no-trumps over an adverse one no-trump, as 
a rule there is little sense in such a bid. Usually 
in such cases, of the two other hands, one is a 
"bust" and the other has some assistance, and it is 
purely a matter of luck which player gets the 
"bust." The informatory double does not prevent 



THE INFORMATORY DOUBLE 19 

a bid of two no-trumps after partner's take-out, 
while a bid of two no-trumps instead of the double, 
loses the chance there may be either to set oppo- 
nents or for a game going suit declaration by part- 
ner. The situation that may justify a bid of two 
no-trumps over an adverse one no-trump is, when 
partner has made a suit declaration after the ad- 
verse one no-trump. If partner has made a suit 
declaration before the adverse one no-trump, the 
alternative may then be presented of either mak- 
ing a business double or bidding two no-trumps. 



Ill 

WHEN TO COVER 

As a general rule an honor should be covered 
with an honor, when not holding more than three 
cards of the suit; and sometimes when holding 
four cards, especially if besides the honor, the 
10, 9, or 8 is held. But when the lead is from 
a sequence of two cards, either as the top of 
the suit or as an intermediate lead, the covering 
play should not be made on the first round. For 
example, from dummy's hand declarant leads the 
Jack from Jack 10 7 and second hand holds the 
Queen 3 2; if the latter's partner (the fourth 
player) holds Ace 9 4 and the second player covers 
the lead of Jack on first round, declarant can lead 
the suit on second round and finesse dummy's 7, 
thus losing only one trick in the suit. But, if the 
second player refuses to cover on first round, and 
on second round covers if dummy's 10 is led, or 
plays low if dummy's 7 is led, he and partner 
must make two tricks in the suit instead of one 
trick. 

Or from dummy's hand declarant leads the 
Queen from Queen Jack 9 and second hand holds 
the King 10 2: although it makes no difference 
whether the second player covers on the first or 
second round, if declarant has the Ace of the suit ; 
if, however, partner (the fourth player) has the 
Ace, not covering on the first round will save a 
trick. 

Or suppose the 10 is led from a holding in 
dummy of King 10 9 and second hand holds the 



WHEN TO COVER 21 



Jack 2 only of the suit. If partner (the fourth 
player) happens to have the Queen twice guarded, 
it must make sooner or later, if the lead of the 10 
is not covered by the Jack held by second hand. 

When the lead is from a sequence of more than 
two cards, there is of course still less reason for 
the cover. It should be observed, however, that 
when holding the master card, it should or should 
not be played as the situation warrants, and is 
not a so-called covering play. 

An example of a cover that should be made is 
when declarant leads the 10 of a suit, in which 
dummy holds Ace Jack 2, with the intention ap- 
parently of taking the finesse. Second hand hold- 
ing, say, King 4 3, should cover the 10 with the 
King, as, if partner happens to hold Queen 9 and 
small, the latter can make both Queen and 9. In 
other words, covering spoils what would other- 
wise become a major tenace. 

While it is generally true that a sequence should 
not be covered on the first round, there are some 
exceptions. For example, Queen is led from Queen 
Jack and one or two small cards; second hand 
holding King once guarded should cover on the 
first round, since on second round the low card may 
be led, if King is not played on the first round. Or 
the Queen may be led from Queen Jack only, and 
second hand with a once guarded King, by cover- 
ing on the first round, may cause the leader to 
block his partner's suit. 



IV 
THE ECHO 

The echo to show out, that is the playing of an 
unnecessarily high card on partner's lead, when 
not attempting to win the trick, followed by a 
lower card on second round, should only be used 
when the declaration is a trump. It is a strength 
showing play, and means for partner to continue 
the suit, as the echoing player can win the third 
round, either by a ruff or because he has the mas- 
ter card. When the declaration is no-trumps or 
when void of trumps, the echo to show out should 
not be used. 

The showing out play is most effective on 
partner's lead of the King, but on any other card 
led it is not apt to be of much value, since partner 
is then usually not in the lead to take advantage 
of the information, and furthermore the throw- 
ing of a card as high as the eight or nine on first 
round sometimes causes the loss of a trick. When 
holding an honor and one small, the echo of course 
is not made, not only because the honor might 
otherwise make, but because the second round will 
give the desired information anyway. 

On adversaries' suit the echo to show out should 
not be made, since the information is more apt to 
benefit the declarant, as latter may then start 
trumps or may know whether to finesse on second 
round of said suit, by being able to infer on first 
round, through noticing the absence of a small 
card, that one adversary is showing out. 

When partner is leading his suit, of which the 



THE ECHO 23 



third player holds four or more, the lowest card 
should not be played. If a trump declaration, the 
third best card should be played on first round, and 
second best card on second round, when not at- 
tempting to win either round. Such play by the 
third player or partner of the leader is both an 
unblocking and number showing play. But when 
the declaration is no-trumps and four or more of 
partner's suit are held, the cards should be played 
vice versa ; that is, the second best on first round 
and third best on second round, when not at- 
tempting to win either round. 

To sum up, the echo when a trump declaration 
is being played, means the echoing player is either 
out and can ruff the third round, or else has the 
master card alone left. When a no-trump decla- 
ration is being played, however, a different in- 
ference should be drawn by the echo, since the 
play then means that four or more of the suit are 
held, and that the echo is made to encourage part- 
ner to continue his suit, as well as to help him lo- 
cate the cards in said suit. From the foregoing 
it follows that at both a trump and no-trump dec- 
laration, when the third player plays his lowest 
card in partner's suit, he must hold not more than 
three cards of said suit. 

The echo is also used in discarding, and usually 
then means strength in the suit, or a re-entry in 
the suit discarded. When not wishing to discard 
two cards of a strong suit or when only having 
the opportunity to make one discard, partner 
should infer from the discard of a seven or higher 
card that the suit is desired led, while the discard 
of the five or any lower card usually means weak- 



24 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

ness. The discard of the six may be either 
strength or weakness. 

In the end play, however, the play of a card 
not the lowest, especially the seven or higher 
card, on partner's lead of a winning card, merely 
means to continue the suit. 



V 
SUIT PLACING 

Successful play of hands partly depends on 
ability to locate cards. In placing a suit, it is 
necessary to note the play or absence of small 
cards, which are often the key to the whole situ- 
ation and are fully as important as the high cards. 
The play or absence of a small card not only tells 
the number of cards in a long suit held by partner, 
but often informs as to whether a finesse should 
be made. 

Secondly, noting the play or absence of a high 
card often enables one to infer the location of other 
high cards. Or sometimes by assuming a certain 
high card is with a certain player, it can be proved 
he cannot have said card and thus determine its 
correct location. 

Thirdly, the fact that the fourth best card is 
led shows exactly three cards higher than the one 
led, one of these cards, except in rare cases when 
the declaration is no-trumps, being always a card 
lower than the Jack and usually lower than the 
10. Or the well-known Foster's "eleven rule" 
can be used. 

The following examples illustrate Auction suit 
placing : 

West opens with the 4, dummy holding Queen 
8 7 3 plays the 3, East (third player) holding 5 
2 only, plays the 2 and declarant (South) wins the 
trick with the Ace. East infers as declarant must 
have held besides the Ace, two lower cards that 
would win the trick, he must have held Ace King 



26 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

Jack and partner the 10 9 6 4 originally, or else 
the opening lead was a singleton. The location 
of the suit is subject to the possibility that declar- 
ant may not have the King, but played the Ace so 
that the Queen in dummy will become a re-entry 
card. 

West opens with the 3, dummy holding King 10 

7 4 plays the 4 and East (third player) holds the 
Ace Jack 9 6. It is obvious partner held Queen 

8 5 3 and that declarant (South) is either out or 
has the 2 spot only. East therefore should play 
the 6 as all dummy's cards in the suit can be 
captured if West leads the suit. If, however, 
partner has led a short suit, he is either out or 
has the 2 only, and East should then play the 9, 
thus making his Ace Jack a major tenace over 
dummy's minor tenace. 

West opens with the 4, dummy holding Ace 
Jack 2 plays the 2, East holds King 9 3, and 
should play the 9. Since partner cannot have 
held more than four cards of the suit, declarant 
must hold three cards and the only chance for 
two tricks in the suit is that partner holds both 
Queen and 10. If not, as the suit will run three 
rounds, the King must eventually make. The 
King possibly should be played, however, when 
dummy's holding in another suit is such, that it 
is probable declarant can get discards. 

Against a trump declaration, West opens with 
the 5, dummy holding Jack 9 7 3 plays the 3, 
East holds the Queen 6 4 and should play the 4. 
As partner cannot hold the Ace, he must have held 
King 10 8 5 and declarant (South) holds either 
Ace alone or Ace 2. If the opening lead was 



SUIT PLACING 27 



a short suit, East's play is the same, as in that 
event he cannot get a trick whatever he plays. 

Against a no-trump declaration, West opens 
with the 5, dummy holding 10 9 8 7 and East 
(third player) the Jack 3 2. East should play 
the 2, as if partner has the 4 declarant has a 
singleton honor, while the play of Jack would es- 
tablish a trick in the suit in dummy. If, how- 
ever, partner's lead was from a four-card suit, 
the low card play will save a trick if declarant 
holds Queen 4 or King 4, but will lose if latter 
held Ace 4 and only two rounds of the suit are 
played. Hence East's ducking by playing low, in- 
stead of covering, is sound as the chances favor 
gaining a trick. 

South deals and gets the declaration at one 
heart. West opens 2 of diamonds holding Jack 
8 7 2, dummy holding King Queen 10 9 3 plays 
the 9 which wins the trick, as East plays 6 and 
declarant (fourth player) plays the 4. The only 
missing diamonds are the Ace and 5, and West in- 
fers that East cannot be echoing to show out and 
so have the 5, as declarant, if he had held Ace and 
4 only, would have overtaken in order not to block 
dummy's suit. Hence, if West later has the lead, 
he can lead the second round of diamonds, know- 
ing partner can ruff if latter has any hearts. 

Against dealer's one no-trump declaration, West 
opens with the 7 of a suit, in which dummy holds 
the King 3 and declarant (fourth player) the 8 6 4. 
Declarant reasons if West's lead was the fourth best 
card, he must hold the Ace, as otherwise he would 
have to hold Queen Jack 10 or Queen Jack 9 or 
Queen 10 9 or Jack 10 9, and so would have opened 



28 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

Queen, Jack or 10. If, however, the 7 was led as a 
third best card, East (the third player) may have 
the Ace, but must also have two other cards higher 
than the 8, and so is reasonably sure to finesse if 
dummy's King is not played. In other words, it is 
highly probable, playing dummy's King will win 
the trick, or if it loses, declarant could not have 
made a trick in the suit by playing dummy's 3 in- 
stead. If, however, West had opened with a lower 
card, say the 5, and declarant had held Jack 4 only, 
it is a pure guess whether to play King or lowf rom 
dummy, in the absence of any bidding by adver- 
saries; since if West or East have both Ace 
Queen it is immaterial what card is played, while 
if East has the Ace and West the Queen, declar- 
ant can take one trick in the suit if he plays low 
from the dummy hand. 

West opens with the 4, dummy holding Jack 
9 8 7 plays the 7, East (third player) wins with 
the Ace and returns the 5; declarant (South) 
held originally King 6 3 and should play the 6 on 
second round, as opening lead was either a single- 
ton or from 4 2 only. 

It is better to take the thirteen cards of a suit 
and, after sorting out the specific cards mentioned 
in any given example, actually place them as 
played. It is then easier to see why the rest of 
the suit must lie as indicated. 



VI 
FALSE-CARDING 

Indiscriminate play of false cards is futile, and 
the player who frequently false-cards not only 
rarely deceives, but may give more information 
than he would have, if the cards had been played 
naturally or regularly. 

For example, against a trump declaration, West 
opens the King of a suit holding Ace King Queen 
and one small, dummy has the 10 4 2 of the suit, 
partner (East) plays the 3 and declarant the Jack. 
Since partner played his lowest card, the leader 
knows to a certainty that the suit will run three 
rounds as his partner either must be out or have 
exactly two more of the suit. Furthermore, if de- 
clarant had not played the Jack, West can then 
only infer partner either is out or has Jack alone 
or has two more of the suit left. 

Against a trump declaration, West opens the 7 ; 
as dummy holds 10 8 4 2, and East (third player) 
the 6 5 3, latter infers partner led from King Jack 
9 7, or else a singleton. Declarant wins with the 
Ace, and as he has the Queen, he must have the 
King also ; hence the opening lead was a single- 
ton and declarant held originally Ace King Queen 
Jack 9. The only card declarant can win with 
and deceive East, is the Queen. 

East bids a heart holding Ace King Jack 4 2 
and South gets the declaration at one spade; 
West leads the 6 of hearts, dummy holding Queen 
9 3 plays the 3, and East (third player) wins with 
the Jack as declarant plays the 10 of hearts. 



30 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

Since West has obviously led his highest heart, 
he either is out or has the 5, and declarant has both 
the 8 and 7; in other words, whether declarant 
plays the 7, 8 or 10, it cannot possibly deceive East, 
and even West knows declarant cannot be out of 
hearts as partner would then have continued the 
heart bid. 

The worst false-card play is one that deceives 
partner and cannot possibly deceive declarant. 
For instance, declarant leads the Ace and King of 
trumps, dummy having three small trumps, and 
West (second player) plays the Queen of trumps 
on second round, while East on said round dis- 
cards. It later develops West also held the Jack 
and 10 of trumps, and hence he alone is responsible 
for any tricks that may have been lost through 
his partner's inference, that declarant held orig- 
inally seven trumps to the Ace King Jack 10, In- 
stead of five to Ace King. 

The best and most effective false cards are 
those that have a reason for the play. Thus de- 
clarant (South) leads the King of a suit in which 
dummy holds Ace Jack 9 and one small, and the 
fourth player (East) holds Queen 10 only. If 
latter plays or throws the Queen, declarant is al- 
most sure to finesse the 9 in dummy on second 
round, while if the 10 is played on first round, de- 
clarant is likely to play the Ace on the chance of 
dropping the Queen fourth hand. 

Or, suppose declarant leads the King and fol- 
lows with the 7 of a suit in which dummy holds 
Ace Jack 10 5 2, and West (second player) 
holds the 9 6 4, and partner plays the 3 on first 
round. If West on second round plays the 9, de- 



FALSE-CARDING 31 



clarant may infer that if East (fourth player) has 
the Queen, he has it guarded, and so take the 
finesse. Hence, if declarant held three of the suit 
originally, East makes his lone Queen. 

Or, suppose (in preceding example) instead of 
West having 9 6 4 that East holds the 9 6 only and 
partner plays the 3 on first round and the 4 on sec- 
ond round. Fourth hand's play of the 9 may 
induce declarant not to finesse, and thus partner 
may make his Queen if he has it; if, however, 
East had held 9 3, declarant would know on the 
first round an adversary was false-carding if the 
9 was played, and very likely be able to locate the 
suit. 

East deals and bids one spade at a love score, 
and South holding, 



Spades 


King 7 3 


Hearts 


Ace King Queen 6 4 2 


Clubs 


King Queen 2 


Diamonds 


6 



gets the declaration at two hearts. West opens 
9 of spades and dummy (North) lays down, 

Spades Queen 10 8 2 

Hearts 8 5 

Clubs Ace Jack 3 

Diamonds Queen Jack 7 3 

East wins with the Ace of spades, and declarant 
should think quickly and throw his King without 
hesitation. As East should have the Ace of dia- 
monds, also, if he returns a spade, his partner will 
ruff, probably lead a diamond, get another spade 
ruff, thus saving game. Declarant, however, delib- 
erately loses a trick by playing King, in order to 
save two tricks; since East must infer partner 



32 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

has both 7 and 3 and, as returning a spade would 
then give declarant two discards, he naturally 
shifts to another suit, which of course enables 
declarant to just go game. 



VII 
CARD DISTRIBUTIONS 

Sometimes an extra trick or game can be made 
by a certain line of play, if the adverse cards of 
a suit are distributed in one way ; while a differ- 
ent line of play will produce the extra trick or 
game, if the adverse cards of said suit are distrib- 
uted in another way. Whenever, in such cases, 
the bidding and fall of cards do not give the de- 
sired information, it is necessary, or an advantage 
at any rate, to know which one of the two likely 
adverse distributions being considered, is the 
more probable. 

For example, holding nine cards of a suit in the 
two hands, one hand having five and the other 
four, it is more probable the adverse cards are 
three one instead of even. On the other hand, if 
one hand has six and the other three, that is the 
same total (nine cards), it is more probable the 
adverse cards are even rather than three one. 
Hence, playing to drop the adverse cards in two 
rounds, should win oftener in the latter case than 
in the former. 

Or holding two suits, each totaling seven cards 
in the two hands, the distribution of one suit be- 
ing five cards in one hand and two in the other, 
and of the other suit four in one hand and three 
in the other, the adverse cards of both suits may 
be three three. But the odds decidedly favor 
choosing the five-card suit rather than the four- 



34 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

card suit, when attempting to exhaust the adverse 
cards in three rounds. 

Probability calculations show that the distri- 
butions of 4-4-3-2 and 5-3-3-2 are the most fre- 
quent. The former occurs the oftenest or about 
twenty-two per cent of the time, by which is 
meant that if an infinite number of deals are 
taken, the occurrence for said distribution would 
average twenty-two deals out of a hundred. 

The following table gives approximately the 
percentage of frequency for each one of the more 
common distributions of a suit in the four hands, 
or what is mathematically the same thing, the 
distributions of four suits in one hand : — 



l Distribution 


Per Cent of Frequency 


4-4-3-2 


21.55 


4-3-3-3 


10.5 


5-3-3-2 


15.5 


5-4-3-1 


12.9 


5-4-2-2 


10.6 


6-3-2-2 


5.6 


6-4-2-1 


4.7 


6-3-3-1 


3.45 



Total 84.8 

The distributions of 4-4-4-1, a "three-suiter", 
and 5-5-2-1, a "two-suiter", each occur about 
three per cent of the time. The former can be 
considered a normal three-suit hand, the latter a 
normal two-suit hand, and the distributions given 
in the table normal hands, since there are no other 
combinations that occur as often as three per cent 



CARD DISTRIBUTIONS 35 



of the time, and some one of them will occur about 
ninety-one per cent of the time. 

When a four-card suit is held, the balance of 
the suit will be distributed four three two about 
twice as often as three three three, the frequency 
of occurrence for the former event being about 
thirty-two per cent, which is approximately one- 
third of the time. In about thirty-five per cent of 
the time, one of the three other hands will contain 
five of the suit, with the balance distributed three 
one or two two. In other words, some one of these 
four distributions will occur in about eighty- 
three per cent of the deals in which one hand con- 
tains a four-card suit, and hence represent the 
usual distributions of the balance of the suit in 
the other three hands. Although about eighty- 
four per cent of the time, some other hand will 
contain four or more of the suit, in only about 
fifty-four per cent of the deals, will an opponent 
have length and partner not. 

When a five-card suit is held, the balance of 
the suit will be distributed three three two nearly 
thirty-four per cent or about one-third of the 
time, and in fifty-one per cent of the deals or 
about half the time, one of the three other hands 
will contain four of the suit, with the balance 
three one or two two. Hence, when holding a suit 
of five cards, some one of these three distributions 
occurs in about eighty-five per cent of the deals, 
the balance of fifteen per cent being the frequency 
of occurrence for all the other possible combin- 
ations. In about forty-three per cent of the 
deals, an opponent will hold four or more of the 



36 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

suit and partner less than four. 

When having a suit of six cards, the balance 
of the suit will be distributed four two one about 
twenty-eight per cent of the time, and either three 
two two or three three one about fifty-five per 
cent of the time. Thus, some one of these three 
distributions will occur in about eighty-three per 
cent of the deals in which one hand contains a six- 
card suit, the balance of seventeen per cent rep- 
resenting the frequency of occurrence of all the 
remaining possible combinations. In only thirty 
per cent of the time will an opponent have four or 
more of the suit. 

In playing the general run of hands, declarant 
should assume some one of the foregoing distri- 
butions will occur, and is justified in so assuming 
in the absence of any information to the contrary. 

Any distribution that occurs less than two per 
cent of the time, is a freak hand. Such hands 
either contain a suit of at least seven cards, or are 
void of a suit, or else have two suits totaling 
eleven or more cards. The most common of the 
freak hands is the 7-3-2-1 distribution, which oc- 
curs nearly two per cent of the time, or more than 
three and one-half times as often as the 7-2-2-2 
combination. The two-suit 5-5-2-1 hand and the 
three-suit 4-4-4-1 hand can be considered on the 
line separating normal hands from freak hands. 

In the following table are given all freak com- 
binations that have a frequency of occurrence of 
one-half per cent or more, the frequency of occur- 
rence of all other possible distributions taken to- 
gether being less than two per cent : — 





CARD DISTRIBUTIONS 


3, 


Card Distribution 


Per Cent of Frequency 


7-3-2-1 






1.88 


6-4-3-0 






1.33 


5-4-4-0 






1.24 


5-5-3-0 






.90 


6-5-1-1 






.70 


6-5-2-0 






.65 


7-2-2-2 






.51 



Total 7.21 

The 5-4-4-0 hand can be called a "freak three- 
suiter," to distinguish it from the 4-4-4-1 hand 
which occurs nearly two and one-half times as 
often, there being no other possible hands of three 
long suits. 

There are five normal two-suit hands, but as 
both suits are not bid as frequently, when holding 
a four-card suit together with a four- or five- or 
six-card suit, a normal "two-suiter" usually 
means the 5-5-2-1 distribution, The latter hand 
occurs nearly two and one-half times as often as 
the most frequent of the many possible freak two- 
suit hands. 

Although the figures given are close approx- 
imations, they obviously apply for an infinite 
number of deals. Hence, one should not rely too 
much on probabilities in playing a hand, as even 
keeping account of a great many deals might show 
a less probable distribution happened to occur 
oftener. 

The figures in the tables are taken from Dr. 
Pole's "Philosophy of Whist." 



VIII 
THE PLAY OF DECLARANT 

In Group I are three hands illustrating com- 
pelling adversaries to lead a certain suit, or else 
allow a discard in one hand and a ruff in the other 
hand. Declarant has simply to exhaust all the 
cards in two suits held by dummy and himself, 
or else held by the adversary that will eventually 
be in the lead; and in the third suit, which may 
be either the trump or a plain suit, declarant 
either exhausts the suit, or else loses the lead on 
the round that exhausts the suit. The first es- 
sential is that both declarant and dummy will 
have a trump or trumps after all the adverse 
trumps are exhausted, and the second essential 
is to have the right adversary in the lead at the 
right time. It is not always possible to do this, 
but if so, such hands when they occur are both 
easy to recognize and to play. 

In Group II are four hands illustrating forcing 
discards. When declarant has the only trumps 
left, or, if playing no-trumps, has an established 
suit, he can sometimes obtain an extra trick if his 
left-hand opponent holds a certain card or cards, 
by leading trumps or the established suit, as he 
can discard from dummy after said opponent. 
Sometimes, too, the right-hand adversary has 
protection in a suit of dummy and also in a suit 
of declarant, and if forced to discard cannot pro- 
tect both suits. 

Situations also occur wherein an extra trick is 
obtained because of an error in discarding. That 



THE PLAY OF DECLARANT 39 

is, one adversary suddenly realizes, when forced 
to discard, that he has not kept run of the cards 
sufficiently to know which card to keep, and so 
has to guess; or else, when he has kept track of 
the cards, finds that he is unable to draw the in- 
ferences from the cards already played that would 
enable him to determine which card he ought to 
discard. 

In Group III are eight hands illustrating double 
entry or making an entry card or holding up mas- 
ter card of a suit. Entries are usually made by 
a finesse that succeeds, by holding up, by unblock- 
ing, by winning or ruffing a trick with an unneces- 
sarily high card, and by the lead of a high card 
(Deschapelle Coup). When declarant can play 
in such a way so as to have one or two re-entries 
in a suit in one hand or the other, but not both, it 
is usually better to allow the weaker hand to have 
the re-entry, even though at the time not seeing 
any reason for so doing. 

Groups IV and V each contain four hands illus- 
trating the finesse and ducking, and holding up. 
In Group VI are eight hands illustrating a re- 
fusal to finesse, postponing a finesse, not holding 
up, and not allowing one adversary to lead. In 
finessing, the assertion is sometimes made that the 
finesse was the only chance for the extra trick, 
while as a matter of fact there are usually two 
ways of making the extra trick. For example, 
declarant holding a suit headed by King Jack in 
one hand and Ace in the other, can make the three 
high cards in two ways; that is, either by the 
finesse, or by not finessing and having the Queen 
fall on first or second round. While the finesse 



40 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

in the absence of other information is usually the 
better chance, unless holding nine of the suit in 
the two hands, it is not by any means the only 
chance. Or, suppose declarant holds Ace Jack 
9 and two small trumps and dummy King 
and two small ; if the Queen is once guarded, the 
finesse may lose and is not necessary, while if 
the 10 is once guarded, the Ace Jack finesse may 
win, or the lead of Ace followed by Jack may 
win; and it may be a guess which of the three 
ways will win. 

A finesse that can be taken on either the first or 
second round, should be taken on the second 
round, if at all. A finesse that can be taken in 
either hand, should be postponed if possible until 
declarant has more information as to which way 
to take the finesse ; when this is not possible, de- 
clarant should decide which adversary he prefers 
having in the lead in case the finesse loses. 
The best finesses to take are those that cannot 
lose ; by that is meant a situation in which declar- 
ant knows that if the finesse loses, the cards can- 
not then lie so as to be possible to take required 
number of tricks by any other play. 

If declarant is obliged to lead from King and 
small of a suit in which dummy holds Queen and 
small, it is important to locate the Ace if possible ; 
if left-hand adversary has the Ace, declarant 
should lead low from his hand towards dummy's 
Queen and then duck; that is, refuse to play 
his King on second round; if right-hand adver- 
sary has the Ace, the correct play is vice versa. 

In holding up, the object is usually to prevent 
an adversary making his suit. For example, 



THE PLAY OF DECLARANT 41 

when having a suit once stopped and able to win 
the first round, or the second or third round 
instead, it is better to hold up if possible ; that 
is, not to win the first round, but to win the round 
that exhausts the partner of the adversary who is 
establishing the suit. Hence, if the latter has no 
re-entry, the suit cannot then make. When holding 
an adverse suit twice stopped and it is necessary 
to try to prevent the suit making, it is a common 
error to win the first and third instead of the sec- 
ond and third rounds. While it usually makes 
no difference if adversary's partner holds three 
of his suit, but if said partner holds only two of 
the suit, it cannot then make unless the adversary 
has two re-entries. Or, if said partner is allowed 
to win the first round with a card which happens 
to be the only card of the suit he has, the adver- 
sary will require three re-entries, if declarant 
wins the second and third rounds, as he could 
make the suit with one less re-entry when declar- 
ant wins the first and second or the first and 
third rounds. 

When game is possible without taking a finesse, 
it is usually better to avoid or postpone the 
finesse until game is assured. In deciding 
whether to take a finesse, declarant should always 
consider what may happen if the finesse loses, and 
if in latter event a ruff can be obtained, or by 
shifting to or leading another suit, adversary can 
establish it before declarant establishes his suit, 
the finesse should not be taken when it would 
mean loss of game. 

The reasons for not holding up are usually the 
same as for not finessing. Sometimes the hold- 



42 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

ing up play is not made when intending to allow 
the suit to make and to have the adversary that 
holds said suit in the lead eventually. 

Groups VII and VIII contain six and five hands 
respectively illustrating making a suit, choosing 
the right suit, and trump and suit management. 
Making or establishing a long suit is one of the 
main objects to strive for, and when a suit can be 
brought in, it will usually produce more tricks 
than can be won by any other method. The suit 
is led until the adverse cards of the suit are ex- 
hausted, thus making the small cards trick win- 
ners if the adverse trumps are also exhausted, or 
if the declaration is no-trump. Or, the suit may 
be established when neither adversary has a possi- 
ble winning card of the suit, assuming, of course, 
that partner's holding is such that he does not 
have to block making the suit. 

Usually the suit to establish is the one in which 
the number of cards of the suit held by declarant 
added to those in dummy total the largest num- 
ber. When the distribution in the two hands of 
one suit is five three and of another suit four four, 
the five three suit ordinarily means an extra trick 
and so should be led, unless the four four suit can 
be led to better advantage. When the distri- 
bution of two suits is the same and both have ap- 
proximately the same high-card strength, the suit 
in which the high cards are in sequence is the 
proper choice generally, thus avoiding or postpon- 
ing a finesse in the suit in which the high cards are 
in tenace. A choice that should be obvious, yet 
is sometimes overlooked, is when holding two 
suits of about the same length, either of which, 



THE PLAY OF DECLARANT . 43 

but not both, can be established in the same num- 
ber of rounds ; but, one of the suits contains the 
master card or both master and second best cards, 
while the other suit does not. Since the master 
card can be made at any time, the suit that does 
not contain such card is, of course, the one to es- 
tablish. In some hands, it is not necessary to 
establish the longer suit, and a short suit holding 
may be such that the latter can be led to better 
advantage. 

While making a suit depends on the way the 
suit is handled, on locating the adverse cards of 
the suit correctly, and on having re-entries; it 
also, in the case of a trump declaration, depends 
on when trumps are led. Instead of leading or 
exhausting trumps before establishing a suit, it 
is frequently better to lead the suit from one hand 
and the trump from the other alternately; or 
even to try to establish the suit first, before lead- 
ing trumps at all. In latter case, if the adverse 
cards of the suit lie unfavorably so that the suit 
cannot be brought in, there is no object in leading 
trumps anyway, and if not led first, the intended 
line of play can be abandoned and possible ruffs 
obtained instead. 

In Group IX are four hands illustrating the 
ruff and cross-ruff. When there is no suit to 
make, often the only chance for extra tricks is 
to try to make all the trumps possible by ruffing. 
Sometimes it is a question whether to play for a 
cross-ruff or to try to establish a suit instead ; but 
when it is doubtful that the suit can be made, and 
the cross-ruff will produce as many tricks, it is 
apt to be the line of play to adopt. Before start- 



44 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

ing a cross-ruff, it is always advisable to have 
some idea as to how the play is likely to end, as 
sometimes trying to make a trick in a suit before 
starting the cross-ruff will save a trick. 

In Group X are five hands illustrating refusing 
a force and saving a force, including hands that 
should be played on the possibility of one adver- 
sary having four trumps. When declarant holds 
only four trumps and dummy three trumps, it is 
usually wiser to refuse or avoid a force, especially 
as one adversary may have four trumps; and 
when dummy has only two trumps, one adversary 
must have at least four trumps. Hands also oc- 
cur in which declarant having five trumps has 
been subjected to a force, and when dummy has 
only two trumps, it is frequently safer to play the 
hand on the assumption that four of the adverse 
six trumps are in one hand, instead of three each, 
and hence refuse a second force; when, although 
so doing may lose one trick, it may gain several 
tricks. When, however, declarant with five 
trumps finds three in dummy, it is not so essen- 
tial to refuse a second force, not only because 
there is less probability of four adverse trumps in 
one hand, but also because the second round will 
disclose the fact while dummy still has a trump 
left. 

In Group XI are placed hands depending on 
Inference and Counting, including hands in which 
no general principles of play can be given advan- 
tageously, and the player has to trust to his own 
originality and reasoning. Counting is deter- 
mining the number of cards in each suit held by 
adversaries. For example, if one adversary has 



THE PLAY OF DECLARANT 45 

shown a certain number of cards held in a suit 
and the other adversary is out of trumps, the dis- 
tribution of two suits is known, and as soon as the 
distribution of one more suit is obtained, the num- 
ber held in every suit by all the players is known. 
In many hands Counting is not essential, yet the 
player who always counts has a great advantage, 
as it saves tricks that would otherwise not be 
made, especially in end play. While all hands in- 
volve inference drawing and no one ever gets all 
the information that the cards convey, it is the 
ability to draw correct inferences, count the hand, 
and apply the information thus obtained that 
determines successful play. 

In Group XII are three hands illustrating the 
treatment of freak hands. When holding a 
"freak", as it is likely some other hand contains 
an unusual distribution as well, the chances are 
against the usual distributions in a suit occurring. 
For example, if dummy holds a five-card suit and 
declarant has two cards of said suit, it is more 
probable the distribution of the adverse cards 
will be four two instead of even, in a freak hand, 
than in a so-called normal hand. Again, if de- 
clarant holds four cards of a suit in which dummy 
has two cards, and plans to have the latter ruff 
the third round, he should not be surprised in 
finding one of the adversaries can also ruff. In 
an infinite number of deals, nine out of every one 
hundred deals will be a freak, and it is better in 
playing such hands to assume the unusual distri- 
bution as more probable, than the distribution of 
a suit that occurs in the great majority of hands. 

In Group Y are eight hands that are not desig- 



46 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

nated, and declarant is to decide as early in the 
play as possible in what group the hand belongs. 
In some of the hands, the play does not succeed ; 
that is, declarant does not win as many tricks as 
he had a right to expect, or else does not win as 
many tricks as play less sound would have won. 
By determining in what group the hand belongs, 
however, it is not intended to convey the im- 
pression it will necessarily be easier to decide 
how to play most hands or even a majority of 
hands that occur, nor having decided how to play 
any hand, it is necessarily an advantage to know 
in what group the hand belongs. In other words, 
it cannot be determined in what group a hand be- 
longs without first deciding upon the play. 



IX 

THE PLAY OF DECLARANT'S 
OPPONENTS 

In Group I are three hands and in Group II 
four hands illustrating, respectively, forcing de- 
clarant and not doing so. As a rule, a player's 
best defense is to force declarant, especially when 
holding four or more trumps or when the number 
of trumps held added to those in dummy total 
four or less, as partner may then hold four or 
more trumps. When, however, the force cannot 
possibly hurt declarant and dummy has an estab- 
lished suit or a suit that probably can be estab- 
lished without declarant or dummy losing the 
lead, leading another suit instead of forcing may 
result in a trick or ruff or both that could not 
otherwise have been obtained. Sometimes, too, 
it is better first to take out dummy's re-entry. 
Situations also occur where it is obvious from the 
bidding and the number of trumps in dummy, 
that the force can do no good, even though dummy 
has no suit other than a four-card suit to one 
honor. When in doubt, however, as to forcing 
declarant, the force is usually the safer play. 

In Group III are five no-trump hands illustrat- 
ing abandoning a suit or shifting to another suit. 

Although generally one should avoid changing 
suits, when a suit has been led that can not be 
established, or when the player has no re-entry 
and will not be in the lead at the time the suit 
is established, it is sometimes better to shift to (or 
lead) another suit when there is a fair chance of 
hitting partner's suit, especially if it is the only 
chance to save game. It should be borne in mind 



48 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

that a majority of no-trumpers are either weak 
in one suit or have the suit only once stopped. 
Then, too, when right-hand opponent bid one no- 
trump as dealer, it is always possible, though not 
necessarily probable, partner may hold a four- or 
five-card suit that can be established in one round, 
or even an established suit; and did not bid, 
partly because having nothing else in the hand 
and partly because he considered the better 
chance to save game was to trust the suit will be 
led sooner or later, than to bid and possibly drive 
adversaries to a better declaration. Hence, while 
leading another suit may lose a trick, it is sound 
play if it may gain several tricks or save game, 
unless of course dummy's hand is so strong that 
there can be little if any chance of saving game. 
In the absence of other information, the best 
chance of finding partner's suit is to lead the suit 
in which the player and dummy have the fewest 
cards, especially if dummy is weak in the suit or 
has a once guarded honor and the leader has a 
supporting card; and when the situation 
warrants it, one should not hesitate even to lead 
through weakness up to what may be strength. 
It should be stated though, that it frequently hap- 
pens leading another suit does not achieve the 
results hoped for; but in that event, the point is 
that no play would probably have saved game, so 
that, if the situation justified shifting to another 
suit, it should make little if any difference in the 
final result when the shift does not succeed in 
saving game. 

The usual method of preventing a suit in 
dummy being made is to refuse to win until de- 



THE PLAY OF DECLARANT^ OPPONENTS 49 

clarant's last card of the suit is played. It is no 
use, however, to hold up when dummy has a re- 
entry, unless declarant's last card of the suit will 
hold the trick. Sometimes also dummy can be 
prevented from making a suit by refusing to play 
a card which, if played, would establish a re-entry 
in dummy, or by taking out dummy's re-entry be- 
fore his suit is established. Such play is shown 
in the three hands of Group IV. When, however, 
dummy cannot be prevented from making a suit 
if declarant is in the lead, a sufficient number of 
tricks to save game can sometimes be obtained in 
another suit before declarant regains the lead, as 
shown in hands No. 91 and No. 92 of Group VI. 

In discarding, one should generally avoid dis- 
carding a singleton or blanking an Ace. One 
should avoid, too, discarding from a four-card 
suit when dummy has length in the same suit; 
also when dummy has less than three cards of 
said suit, unless it is known that partner is the 
other player that must hold four or more of the 
suit. It is sometimes better to discard from 
strength than from a suit of two small cards, as 
disclosing weakness in the latter may induce a 
finesse against partner. When holding two suits 
and forced to make several discards, it is better 
to decide which suit to keep and let the other go 
than try to protect both suits; when, however, 
partner is keeping or has protection in one suit, 
it devolves upon the player to keep the other suit. 

Groups VI and Z are similar to Groups XI and 
Y, covering hands illustrating declarant's play, 
and the remarks therein given apply equally well 
to the play of declarant's opponents. 



X 

MAKING OUT THE HANDS 

Since most players are not accustomed to see- 
ing printed or recorded hands and so find it rather 
difficult to get at or appreciate the play, it is bet- 
ter to take a pack, actually sort out the hands, 
and then follow the play with the actual cards. 
After all the hands of a group are played, the 
principles of play for said group given in Chapters 
VIII or IX should be read again as they will then 
be better understood. 

It may be argued that the comments on the 
Hands are too long in some cases, and that one 
does not have time in actual play for any extended 
reasoning without annoying the other players. 
It should be stated, however, that correct play 
can often be determined by a comparatively brief 
line of thought, while actually to prove such play 
is correct requires more extended analysis. Then, 
too, inferences that determine a given play pass 
through the mind much quicker than they can be 
expressed in words. 

In the one hundred recorded hands, North is 
always dummy, South the declarant, and hence 
West always has the opening lead. The asterisk 
when used denotes the card led as an opening 
lead, and the card in the recorded play that wins 
the trick is underlined. Of the last twenty-eight 
deals, beginning with No. 73, it is the West hand 
that has the point of play in all the deals except 
Nos. 78, 79, 84, 85, 90 to 93, inclusive, and 98 to 
100, inclusive, in which it is the East hand that 



MAKING OUT THE HANDS 51 

has the point of play or makes the proper defense. 
The best way to learn Auction, after a knowledge 
of the usual bidding and conventions has been ob- 
tained, is by the play of instructive or illustrative 
hands under as nearly as possible the same con- 
ditions as occur in actual play (that is, without 
knowledge as to any cards other than those held 
by the player and dummy), and then reading 
the comments on the play of said hands. This 
can be done by taking a sheet of paper, the same 
width as a page and about half the length, 
and covering the hands in No. 1, for example, so 
that none of the hands are exposed. After sort- 
ing a pack of cards, the first card played by West 
is laid face up, on top of which is placed face up 
the card played by West at Trick 2, then at Trick 
3, and so on to the end. The East hand is then 
made out in the same way, and the two packets 
containing the West and East hands are then laid 
face down with the third packet containing the 
balance of the deal, together with a memorandum 
that the cards are hand No. 1. Then deal or 
hand No. 2, after first covering with the sheet of 
paper, is made out in the same way, and so on, un- 
til four or more hands have been done. This 
should be accomplished without any attempt to 
remember the West and East cards or the order 
in which such cards are played, and if so, es- 
pecially when a sufficient number of hands are 
made out at one time, one will obtain very little 
if any idea as to the hand. To complete the deal 
the illustrated hand is covered as before and, by 
sliding the sheet of paper towards the bottom of 
the page until only the dummy hand is exposed, 



52 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

the latter can be made out from the third packet 
of the pack that contains the West and East hands 
of the corresponding deal; after which, by slid- 
ing the paper towards the top of the page, declar- 
ant's (South's) hand can be made out. Half the 
balance of the cards, if any, that are left over 
from the third packet can be placed under the 
West packet and the rest under the East packet, 
without regard as to whether such cards belong as 
so placed; since if, for example, the play as re- 
corded ends at Trick 7, it simply means that de- 
clarant after Trick 7 knows or should know just 
how many tricks he can take, and hence it is not 
necessary that the left over cards be placed cor- 
rectly in making out the duplicate hand. Then 
after the bidding is noted, the hand is ready for 
play, the West packet face down being at the left, 
the East packet face down at the right, and the 
exposed or faced dummy packet opposite. Or if 
it is desired to play the hand at some other time, 
the four packets can be laid aside, or gathered to- 
gether in one packet in such a way as to enable 
the player to separate and place the respective 
packets as before. The advantage of first mak- 
ing out the West and East hands consecutively for 
a series of deals and then sorting out the corre- 
sponding North and South hands consecutively for 
the corresponding series of deals, is that it lessens 
the chance of obtaining any inkling of the hand 
that might influence the play, yet takes very little 
more time. 

In the last twenty-eight deals (beginning with 
No. 73 and illustrating play of declarant's oppo- 
nents) the position of the hands is changed, South 



MAKING OUT THE HANDS 53 

being at the left and dummy (North) at the right ; 
hence the sheet of paper used to conceal the hands 
should be folded to a width that will expose the 
North or dummy hand ; then by sliding the pa- 
per downwards the West and dummy hands only 
are exposed as required for deals 73 to 77, 80 to 
83, 86 to 89, and 94 to 97, while sliding the paper 
upward will expose the East and dummy hands 
in deals 78, 79, 84, 85, 90 to 93, and 98 to 100. In 
making out the deals in which the West hand 
should be exposed, the North, East, and South 
hands should first be made out for a series of deals 
instead of the West and East hands, as already 
described for the first seventy-two deals. For 
deals in which the East hand should be exposed, 
it is the West, North, and South hands that are 
required. The three packets are then laid face 
down and the remaining hand is sorted out from 
the fourth packet by sliding the paper so as to 
expose the desired hand only ; the balance of the 
cards, if any, left over from the fourth packet 
is divided into three parts and placed under the 
three face down packets. At the same time 
another pack is necessary to make out the dummy 
hand ; thus the latter w r ill then have two packets, 
the top card of the face downward packet first 
made out being the card declarant plays from the 
dummy hand at Trick 1, and the packet from the 
second pack being face up to show dummy's 
whole hand. 

If the foregoing instructions are followed, to 
make out a few hands at a time does not require 
a great deal of time and is well worth while, since 
one's game will improve to say nothing of the in- 



54 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

creased enjoyment that will be obtained in future 
play. When in playing a hand, a player appar- 
ently revokes or plays a card that does not appear 
reasonable, it is obvious that the one playing the 
hand is probably not playing the deal correctly, 
or else has played or led a different card than that 
shown in the recorded play. Hence he should 
either try the hand over again or else turn to the 
comments on said hand to see the reason for a 
different line of play. 



ILLUSTRATIVE 
AUCTION HANDS 



56 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 1 

Trick 4. — South can see that after lead of Ace of clubs 
and three rounds of diamonds, he can lead the remaining 
heart and compel adversary to lead spades, thus enabling 
him to make two spade tricks and game, since adversaries 
cannot lead any other suit without allowing a discard in 
one hand and a ruff in the other. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



57 



COMPELLING ADVERSARY TO LEAD A CERTAIN 

SUIT OR ELSE ALLOW A DISCARD IN ONE 

HAND AND A RUFF IN THE OTHER 

The score is love all. East deals 





* J 10 9 5 
¥ A4 

* 10 6 4 2 

* AK5 


GROUP I 
No, 1 


* KQ6 
¥10 8 3 
*9 

♦ 10 9 8 7 4 3 


N 

W E 

S 


A 873 

¥ KQ J65 2 
* K 8 5 


. 


* A4 2 

¥97 

* A Q J 7 3 

* Q62 


i 



Bound 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 


two hearts 
no 


three clubs 
no 


three hearts 
no 


four clubs 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10 ¥ 


A¥ 


2¥ 


7¥ 


2 


9* 


10* 


5* 


7* 


3 


3* 


4* 


8* 


J* 


4 


44 


2* 


K* 


A* 


5 


7* 


54 


J* 


Q4 


6 


8* 


*♦ 


5¥ 


64 


7 


94 


A4 


6¥ 


2* 


8 


8¥ 


4¥ 


J¥ 


9¥ 


9 


QA 


5* 


84k 


24k 


10 


6* 


9 4k 


74k 


44k 


11 


KA 


10 4k 


34k 


A4k 


12 


10 4 


6* 


Q¥ 


Q* 


13 


3¥ 


J4k 


K¥ 


3* 



North and South make five odd 



58 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 2 

Bidding. — South bids a diamond, instead of one no- 
trump, because of advanced score, but as all four suits 
are stopped, he should bid no-trumps. 

Trick 1. — South can count one heart, two spade and 
three club tricks, and if the Queen of diamonds falls on 
the first or second round, five trump tricks. 

Trick 4. — As West discards the 5 of hearts, East can 
have no more hearts. 

Trick 5. — South can now see that by ruffing third round 
of spades and leading three rounds of clubs, he can then 
lead a trump and compel East either to lead spades or 
clubs, giving him (declarant) a heart discard in one hand 
and a ruff in the other hand, thus taking eleven tricks. 
Or if East ruffs a club, the result is the same. 

Remarks. — Three rounds of spades should be led be- 
fore three rounds of clubs, as if latter are led first, the 
third round might be trumped. In that event declarant 
would have to lose another heart trick. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



59 



COMPELLING ADVERSARY TO LEAD A CERTAIN 

SUIT OR ELSE ALLOW A DISCARD IN ONE 

HAND AND A RUFF IN THE OTHER 

N and S 18, E and W on first game. South deals 

A A 6 2 

V 8 6 3 GROUP 

* 9 8 3 No. 2 

♦ J 762 



A Q 10 7 4 

V Q J 10 5 4 
*75 2 

♦ 10 




AJ985 
V A7 

* J 10 6 4 

♦ Q93 



*K3 

V K92 

* AKQ 

♦ AK85 4 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one diamond 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q¥ 


3¥ 


AV 


2V 


2 


4V 


6¥ 


7V 


KV 


3 


10 ♦ 


24 


3* 


*♦ 


4 


5¥ 


6f 


94 


A* 


5 


4A 


24k 


5* 


K4k 


6 


7* 


A* 


84k 


34k 


7 


10 A 


6 4k 


94k 


4> 


8 


2* 


3* 


44k 


A4k 


9 


5* 


8* 


64k 


KA 


10 


7* 


9* 


10 4* 


Q4k 



North and South win five odd tricks 



60 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 3 

Trick 2. — South to make contract must win two club 
tricks, but as King of clubs may be on his left, he can be 
sure of making two club tricks (unless both King and 
Jack are in West's hand) only by compelling adversary to 
lead clubs. 

Trick 6. — South now leads a spade from dummy as ad- 
versaries will sooner or later have to lead clubs, or else 
give declarant a discard in one hand and a ruff in the 
other. 

Trick 7. — It makes no difference what East now leads. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



61 



COMPELLING ADVERSARY TO LEAD A CERTAIN 

SUIT OR ELSE ALLOW A DISCARD IN ONE 

HAND AND A RUFF IN THE OTHER 

The score is love all. South deals 

A 964 

V J 10 9 4 2 GROUP I 

* 10 7 3 No. 3 

♦ K10 



*K72 
V 6 3 

* K94 

♦ A Q 876 




A AQ J8 

V 7 5 

* J852 

♦ J32 



A 10 5 3 
V AK Q 8 

* AQ6 

♦ 9 54 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one heart 
no 


two 

diamonds 

no 


two hearts 


no 



Trick 


West 


North. 


East 


South 


1 


A4 


10 ♦ 


2* 


54 


2 


74 


*♦ 


34 


9^ 


3 


3V 


2y 


5V 


QV 


4 


6¥ 


9¥ 


7V 


AV 


5 


84 


10 V 


Jf 


44 


6 


24k 


4* 


A* 


3* 


7 


K* 


3* 


2* 


6* 



North and South make two odd tricks or contract 



62 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 4 

Tricks 2, 3 and 4. — South gives dummy an opportunity 
to ruff third round of spades before leading trumps, al- 
though ruffing with the King will enable the Jack of dia- 
monds to take a trick, if one adversary holds the Jack 
twice guarded. The play, however, will save a trick if 
one adversary has Jack alone, or Jack once guarded, or 
Jack with three or four others. 

Trick 5. — South reasons West probably has Ace of 
hearts, as otherwise East would hardly have played low 
with so many hearts in dummy. 

Tricks 9 and 10.— South now leads two more trumps 
to force discards and to see what happens or what in- 
formation he can obtain. 

Trick 11. — West is now marked with the Ace of hearts 
alone, and two clubs which are either Queen 7 or Queen 
Jack. If the latter, as dummy discards after West, forc- 
ing another discard will enable dummy to make either 
King of hearts or the 9 of clubs. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



63 



FORCING DISCARDS 

The score is love all. North deals 



A 643 
V AQ8 

* Q J 6 2 

♦ 765 




GROUP II 

No. 4 



A Q J 10 9 2 

¥ J 10 5 

* 10 7 4 

♦ J3 



* A83 

♦ AQ 10 9842 



Bound 


Dealer 


East 


South 


West 


1 
2 


no 
no 


no 
no 


four 
diamonds 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


2* 


5* 


10* 


A* 


2 


3A 


5* 


2 A 


A* 


3 


4* 


8A 


9* 


K* 


4 


6* 


*♦ 


10* 


7* 


5 


8V 


2V 


5¥ 


2* 


6 


5 4 


3V 


34 


A* 


7 


64 


4¥ 


J* 


Q4 


8 


74 


6V 


QA 


10 4 


9 


6* 


7V 


J* 


94 


10 


QV 


9¥ 


10 v 


84 


11 


J* 


Ky 


J¥ 


4* 


12 


Q* 


K* 


4* 


"3"» 


13 


A* 


9* 


7* 


8* 



North and South make a big slam 



64 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 5 

Trick 1. — South can count eleven tricks, namely- 
one heart, one diamond and two spade tricks, together 
with a spade ruff and six trump tricks. 

Trick 4. — South ruffs with the Jack in dummy so as 
not to take any chance on East's being out of spades also. 

Tricks 8, 9 and 10. — South now leads all his remaining 
trumps to force discards, as East now has hearts and dia- 
monds only left; and, as his initial bid marks him with 
the King of diamonds, he will have to keep for his last 
three cards one heart and two diamonds, or else unguard 
the King of diamonds, or if he lets all his hearts go, it 
will establish South's 10 and 9 of hearts. 

Trick 11. — South now leads a heart, so that East on 
winning will have to lead up to dummy's Ace Queen of 
diamonds. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



65 



FORCING DISCARDS 



The score is love all. East deals 





* 86 
V 876 

* J7 

♦ AQ9754 


GROUP n 
No. 5 


A Q J 10 7 5 2 
V J 3 

*832 
♦ 10 8 


N 

W E 

S 


A 4 3 

V KQ542 

*94 
♦ KJ62 




A AK9 

V A 10 9 

*AKQ1065 
♦ 3 





Bound 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 


one heart 
no 


two clubs 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


JV 


6V 


2V 


AV 


2 


24t 


64» 


34k 


A* 


3 


54» 


84k 


44k 


K4k 


4 


74k 


J* 


4V 


94k 


5 


24k 


74k 


44k 


10 4* 


6 


34k 


7V 


94k 


A4k 


7 


8* 


4f 


2* 


K* 


8 


Q4k 


54> 


5V 


Q4k 


9 


3V 


7* 


64 


64k 


10 


10 4k 


8V 


K* 


54k 


11 


J4k 


94 


QV 


10 ¥ 


12 


8* 


Q* 


J* 


34 


13 


10 ♦ 


A* 


*♦ 


9¥ 



North and South make a small slam 



66 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 6 

Trick 3. — South has ten reasonably sure tricks, but to 
go game cannot allow adversaries to take another trick. 
His only chance for the extra trick is to force discards. 

Trick 9. — East realizes South may hold the King of 
clubs, but as he cannot discard another heart without 
allowing dummy to make at least three heart tricks, his 
only chance is to trust partner has the King of clubs. 

Remarks. — South is, of course, fortunate in finding 
both Queen and Jack of hearts with East, as if West has 
either, he cannot go game. South, however, increases 
his chance for game by forcing discards. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



67 



FORCING DISCARDS 




The score is love all. 


North deals 


* 10 8 3 
V A K 10 2 




GROUP II 




♦ 8743 

♦ 76 






No. 6 


AKQJ652 
V 9763 


N 






*A7 
V Q J8 5 


*5 
♦ 10 8 


w 

s 


£ 




* Q J 10 9 

♦ 954 




* 94 
V 4. 










* AK6 2 

+ AKQJ32 







Bound 


Dealer 


East 


South 


West 


1 
2 


no 
no 


no 
no 


four 
diamonds 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K4 


34 


74 


44 


2 


JA 


84 


A4 


94 


3 


5* 


3* 


Q4 


A* 


4 


8* 


64 


44 


aV 


5 


10 ♦ 


74 


54 


*:♦ 


6 


24 


4* 


9^ 


©.♦ 


7 


54 


7* 


5¥ 


J^ 


8 


64 


10 4 


9* 


34 


9 


Q4 


8* 


10 4 


24 


10 


3* 


2¥ 


J* 


s* 


11 


6V 


10 V 


8V 


64 


12 


7V 


KV 


JV 


24 


13 


9V 


Ay 


QV 


4V 



North and South win five odd tricks 



68 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 7 

Trick 1. — South refuses to win first round, as East may 
have held six spades. 

Trick 3. — South has six more sure tricks and to make 
contract must establish a thirteenth heart or a thirteenth 
diamond. The adverse distribution of both hearts and 
diamonds may be four two instead of three three, or if 
there is an even distribution in one of the two suits, it 
is a guess which one. South realizes, though, if he allows 
East to make his spade suit, West will have to make three 
discards, while he can discard one heart and one club 
and dummy one diamond and one club. 

Trick 6. — The fall of diamonds indicates that East has 
the 6 and, of course, cannot have both Queen and 10. 

Trick 7. — South continues the suit, as it ought to es- 
tablish, West having discarded one diamond. 

Remarks. — If West discards three clubs or had held, 
say, five diamonds and four hearts and discards one dia- 
mond and two clubs, South tries a round of clubs and 
then decides what to lead. West's best discard at trick 
5 is another club. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



69 



OBTAINING DISCAEDS 



N and S 20, E and W 20 on rubt 

A 763 
V A K 6 2 
*K5 2 
♦ 543 


er | 


game. East deals 

GROUP n 
No. 7 


* Q'4 

V J 10 9 5 

* J 10 6 

* Q 10 7 2 


N 
W 

s 


E 


A K J98 2 
V Q4 

*Q987 
♦ J 6 




A A 10 5 
V 873 

* A 4 3 

♦ AK9 8 







Round 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 
3 


no 

two spades 

no 


one no-trump 

two 

no-trumps 


no 
no 


no 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q4» 


34k 


24k 


5 4k 


2 


4* 


64k 


J4» 


A4k 


3 


6* 


7* 


K4» 


10 A 


4 


24 


34 


94k 


3V 


5 


5¥ 


2* 


84k 


3* 


6 


74 


4 4 


*♦ 


*♦ 


7 


10 ♦ 


54 


6t 


A* 


8 


Q4 


2V 


7* 


8* 


9 


JV 


KV 


4¥ 


7V 



North and South win two odd tricks 



70 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 8 

Trick 1. — Provided adversaries cannot take a trump 
trick, South can make a slam if he can make dummy's 
diamond suit, as he only needs three discards. The ad- 
verse distribution of diamonds may be three three or four 
two, the latter being the more probable. Hence declar- 
ant may need two re-entries in dummy, and as West is 
marked with the Queen 10 7 of clubs, he wins with the 
Ace of clubs instead of the 9. 

Trick 7. — South wisely discards a spade, in case he 
needs two clubs to put dummy in the lead twice. 

Trick 8. — As the diamonds did not clear, South can still 
make a slam through his foresight in playing Ace of clubs 
at trick 1. v 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



71 



MAKING AN ENTRY CARD 

The score is love all. South deals 

A J53 

y 4 GROUP III 

* K J 6 No. 8 

+ AK8742 


* AQ 

V 7652 

* Q 10 7 5 3 

* 65 


N 

W E 

S 


A 98762 
V J9 
+ 84 

♦ Q J 10 9 




*K104 

V A K Q 10 8 3 

*A92 

♦ 3 





Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


three hearts 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


5* 


6* 


8* 


A* 


2 


2V 


4¥ 


9V 


KV 


3 


5V 


3* 


JV 


A* 


4 


6V 


5* 


2* 


QV 


5 


T¥ 


J* 


6* 


10 V 


6 


54 


*♦ 


94 


34 


7 


64 


A^ 


10 ♦ 


4* 


8 


3* 


2* 


J* 


3¥ 


9 


7* 


J* 


4* 


2* 


10 


10* 


4* 


Qt 


8V 


11 


Q* 


K* 


7* 


9* 


12 


Q* 


8> 


8* 


10* 


13 


A* 


74 


9* 


K* 



North and South make a grand slam 



THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 9 

Trick 1. — South can count six sure tricks and notes 
that in order to go game, he must make either the club 
or the diamond suit. He has seven clubs and seven dia- 
monds in the two hands, but while it is somewhat more 
probable that the adverse diamonds are evenly distrib- 
uted (according to the theory of probabilities), playing 
for the latter suit is likely to result in the adversaries 
making two diamond and two spade tricks, so that going 
game will then depend on a successful heart finesse. On 
the other hand, if the adverse clubs are evenly distrib- 
uted, playing for the club suit will produce two extra 
tricks and ensure game without taking any finesse. South 
therefore hopes to establish the club suit and hence wins 
the spade trick with the Ace instead of Jack, thus making 
Queen of spades in dummy a re-entry. 

Trick 5. — If the finesse of Queen of hearts loses and 
West has four hearts, the suit will be established and 
game saved as the adverse King of spades will be a re- 
entry. South can play Ace of hearts but passing it up to 
dummy's 10 by playing low may save a trick, especially 
as he does not fear a shift to the diamond suit, having 
it twice stopped. 

Trick 6. — West can save one trick by starting the dia- 
mond suit, but the heart would seem to be his best lead. 

Remarks. — While in this deal, the adverse clubs hap- 
pened to be evenly distributed and the adverse diamonds 
not, the distribution might well have been vice versa. 
However, South's best alternative is to assume either suit 
will become established on the third round, and then make 
his choice as to which suit to play for. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



73 



MAKING AN ENTRY CARD 



The score is love all. 

A 09 5 

V 10 4 

#AK8642 
♦ J2 



South deals 



GROUP III 
No. 9 



V K 5 

* J 10 7 

♦ Q 9 8 6 




A76 3 
¥ J9876 

* Q 9 3 

♦ K5 



A A J4 
¥ AQ32 

A 5 

♦A 10 74 3 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one 
no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


24 


5A 


6* 


A* 


2 


7* 


K* 


3* 


5* 


3 


10« 


A* 


9* 


3f 


4 


J* 


2* 


Q* 


44 


5 
6 


K¥ 

5¥ 


4¥ 
10 ¥ 


9¥ 
J¥ 


2¥ 
Q¥ 


7 


K* 


9A 


34k 


4 4 


8 


3A 


QA 


7A 


JA 


9 


10 A 


8* 


6¥ 


3¥ 



North and South win four odd tricks 



74 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 10 

Bidding. — It is a question what South should bid, as 
he could declare one no-trump, or two diamonds, or four 
diamonds; but as the Ace of clubs is solus, either two or 
four diamonds is the sounder bid. 

Trick 2. — South sees there is not much chance for game 
by making one spade and one heart trick, and ruffing 
third and fourth round of hearts, as adversaries can de- 
feat the play by two leads of trumps or by trumping 
higher than dummy on fourth round of hearts. Hence 
South decides to try to make the spade suit, hoping that 
the adverse trumps are evenly distributed. 

Trick 5. — South is careful to ruff with the 8 of dia- 
monds in case dummy's 7 is a re-entry. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



75 



MAKING AN ENTRY CARD 



The score is love all. South deals 



* AQ3 

V A 973 
A Q J 10 5 

♦ J5 




GROUP III 

No. 10 



♦ 10 7 4 
V Q 10 6 
*K9874 

♦ 94 



A 95 

V K852 

*A 

+ A K Q 10 8 2 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


four 
diamonds 


no 


no 


no 



Triek 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q4 


24 


8* 


A* 


2 


34 


U 


44 


54 


3 


54 


34 


44 


*♦ 


4 


A* 


24 


74 


9* 


5 


J* 


3* 


9* 


84 


6 


*♦ 


64 


9^ 


A* 


7 


10« 


74 


44 


2* 


8 


Q4 


BT* 


10 4 


2¥ 



North and South win five odd tricks 



76 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 11 

Bidding. — South owing to advanced score and single- 
ton spade, bids a diamond instead of no-trumps. 

Trick 1. — South plays Jack of hearts so as to make 
two re-entries in the weaker hand, especially as he may 
want to lead clubs at least twice from dummy. 

Trick 3. — South now leads a club from dummy for the 
finesse. Although South realizes if the club finesse loses, 
East will get a ruff on a heart lead by West, he must take 
it while dummy has the lead in order to go game. The 
lead of a low diamond instead might save a trick, if East 
has the King once guarded; or the lead of Queen of dia- 
monds, if West has both 9 and 10 only. The club there- 
fore should be the better chance. 

Tricks 4 and 5. — South leads two rounds of trumps, 
hoping to prevent a heart ruff by East. 

Trick 6. — It makes no difference what West now leads. 

Trick 7. — South properly leads the 9 of clubs from 
dummy, so as not to block taking a possible Ace 8 finesse 
later. He does not lead the trump, as he may have to lead 
clubs again from dummy. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



77 



MAKING AN ENTRY CARD 



N and S 6, E and W on first game. North deals 



AJ854 
V K 10 2 
4943 
♦ Q86 



*K93 
V A 8T6 
*10 2 
♦ K 10 5 




GROUP in 

No. 11 



A A 10 7 6 2 
V 9 3 

* K7 6 5 

♦ 93 



¥QJ4 
*AQJ8 
♦ A J742 



Round 


Dealer 


East 


South 


West 


1 
2 


no 

two 

diamonds 


no 
no 


one 

diamond 

no 


one heart 
no 



Triek 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 


AV 

6V 


2¥ 
10 V 


3¥ 
9¥ 


4V 


3 


2* 


3* 


5* 


Q* 


4 


54 


64 


34 


A* 


5 


K4 


84 


94 


24 


6 


7V 


Ky 


U 


Q¥ 


7 


10* 


9* 


6* 


J* 


8 


10 4 


Q4 


2* 


4* 


9 


5V 


4* 


7* 


8* 



North and South make four odd or game 



78 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 12 

Trick 2. — South leads King of spades as it is better 
to lead high first, from the hand having two of the three 
high cards in sequence. He then intends to put dummy 
in with Ace of spades and try to make the diamond suit 
as only chance for game. 

Trick 3. — The 8 of spades played by East at trick 2 in- 
dicates, unless he is false-carding, that he is either out 
or has Jack alone left. The latter is more probable, es- 
pecially as West would either have bid or opened spades, 
if he had held five to the Jack. Hence South leads 10 of 
spades, so that 9 of spades will be another re-entry if 
needed in dummy. 

Trick 4. — It is, of course, immaterial whether dummy 
leads Queen of diamonds or the 10, but if the former, 
South must play the Jack so as not to block the suit. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



79 



MAKING AN ENTRY CARD 



The score is love all. South deals 

*A94 

V 5 

4 10 8 5 

♦ Q 10 9 7 6 2 



group in 

No. 12 



A 7 6 3 2 
V K Q 3 2 

* AQ73 

♦ 3 




*J8 
V A876 

* J 9 6 2 

♦ K54 



* K Q 10 5 
V J 10 9 4 

A K 4 

♦ AJ8 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one 
no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


34 


5* 


94 


K4 


2 


24 


44 


84 


K4 


3 


34 


A4 


J4 


10 4 


4 


34 


<?♦ 


44 


J4 


5 


3V 


L0 4 


54 


8* 


6 


64 


24 


K4 


A* 


7 


74 


94 


64 


5 4 



North and South win four odd tricks 



80 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 13 

Trick 2. — South plays Queen of clubs so that dummy 
will be in the lead on third round of clubs, in case he 
(South) decides to lead the spade suit. 

Trick 4. — South's tricks are problematical. If East 
has both the red Kings, he might be set only one or two 
tricks, if West has a re-entry in the spade suit; but if 
West can win a spade trick, South cannot then prevent 
his making clubs sooner or later. Hence the lead of a 
spade while dummy has the lead, should be South's best 
chance for tricks. 

Trick 5. — South realizes if the diamond finesse loses, 
he is badly set, probably, but he is helpless and his best 
chance is to trust the finesse will win. He infers also 
that East probably has the Queen of spades. 

Trick 6. — South knows that if East has the Queen of 
spades alone, he can establish the suit without West 
winning a spade trick by leading a low spade, but it is 
more probable that West, having held so many clubs, 
is shorter in the spade suit than East. Hence he leads 
King of spades in order to establish another spade trick 
if possible. 

Trick 7. — South now leads 10 of spades so that dummy 
will have another re-entry, in case he should want to lead 
hearts twice through East. 

Trick 9. — South now leads a heart, intending to decide 
after dummy wins, whether to make the spade trick and 
be satisfied with a set of one trick. 

Trick 10. — As West played King of hearts on the pre- 
ceding trick, South can now see daylight, and of course 
can now easily make game. 

Remarks. — As West has a very small chance of ever 
getting in to make clubs, he would be justified in shift- 
ing to the diamond suit at trick 2; and if he did so, 
declarant could then only make the odd. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



81 



MAKING ENTRY CARDS 

The score is love all. South deals 





A 9 742 
V A 7 4 

* J85 

♦ 863 


GROUP HI 

No. 13 


483 

*AK10 9742 
♦ J 10 2 


N 

W E 

S 


* AQ J 

V J9653 


♦ K9754 


. 


A K 1Qj^5 
V Q 10 8 2 

* Q 6 3 

♦ AQ 





Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one 
no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A* 


54 


3 V 


34 


2 


K* 


84 


44 


Q4 


3 


2* 


J* 


54 


64 


4 • 


34k 


24 


A4 


54 


5 


24 


34 


74 


Q4 


6 


84 


44 


J4 


K4 


7 


4* 


74 


Q4 


10 4 


8 


10 4 


64 


94 


A4 


9 


KV 


AV 


5¥ 


2V 


10 


7* 


4¥ 


6* 


8¥ 


11 


9* 


94 


K4 


'6 4 


12 


10 4 


7¥ 


9¥ 


10 ¥ 


13 


J4 


84 


J¥ 


Q¥ 



North and South win three odd tricks 



82 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 14 

Trick 3. — As the two other adverse Aces must make, 
South in order to go game must find the spade suit even- 
ly distributed and the Ace of spades with East. Hence 
two spade leads are necessary from the dummy hand, and 
therefore declarant's only chance for game is for the 
finesse of the 10 of hearts to win. While the finesse may 
lose a trick, he must take it. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



83 



DOUBLE ENTRY 



The score is love all. South deals 



A 963 
V K 10 
*954 
♦874 32 



GROUP III 

No. 14 



A875 
V J83 

* A 87 2 

♦ AQ10 




A A J 10 
V 9 52 

* Q 10 6 

♦ K J95 



A KQ42 

V AQ764 
*KJ3 
♦ 6 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one heart 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


"West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A* 


44 


64 


34 


2 


7* 


54 


Q* 


K* 


3 


3V 


10 V 


2V 


4¥ 


4 


54 


34 


10 4 


K4 


5 


8V 


K* 


S¥ 


6¥ 


6 


74k 


64 1 


A4 


24 


7 


84 


94 


J4 


Q4 



North and South win four odd tricks 






84 TH PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 15 

Trick 1. — Declarant wins first trick in dummy in order 
to lead a heart for the finesse and also so that his Ace 10 
of clubs will be a major tenace. 

Trick 4. — South is now sure of eight tricks by putting 
dummy in again for one more heart lead through East, 
in case latter held four trumps originally; but if the 
diamonds are evenly distributed, he cannot then make 
dummy's thirteenth diamond. 

Trick 5. — As South needs to make nine tricks to go 
game, he leads Ace of hearts, trusting each adversary 
held three trumps originally, as it is the only chance to 
make the necessary extra diamond trick. 

Trick 6. — South now leads a diamond and refuses to 
play dummy's Ace, so that the latter can win the third 
round in case the suit will then be established. 

Trick 8. — It makes no difference what East now leads, 
as South must get one discard sooner or later. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



HOLDING UP THE MASTER CAED OF LONG SUIT 



N and S 6, E and W 28 on first 


game. South deals 




♦ 764 

V 742 

♦ K 6 2 

♦ AQ83 




GROUP III 

No. 15 


A AQ3 

V 985 

*QJ98 
♦ K72 


N 
W 

S 


E 


A K J 10 2 

V K 6 3 

#754 

♦ J10 5 




A 985 

V A Q J 10 

* A 10 3 

♦ 9 64 







Round 


Dealer 


• West 


North 


East 


1 


one heart 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q* 


K* 


4* 


3A 


2 


5* 


2V 


3V 


QV 


3 


24 


Q* 


54 


44 


4 


8¥ 


4V 


6V 


JV 


5 


9V 


7¥ 


KV 


AV 


6 


74 


3* 


10 4 


94 


7 


3* 


4* 


J* 


84 


8 


8* 


2* 


7* 


A* 


9 


*♦ 


A4 


J* 


6t 



North and South make three odd or game 



86 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 16 

Trick 2. — South can count five trump tricks and four 
heart tricks if the heart finesse wins. He ruffs with one 
of his high trumps in case he needs to put dummy in the 
lead twice, for three heart leads through East. 

Trick 9. — Since West bid clubs originally and with 
both Ace King would have opened clubs, and as East 
after bidding diamonds raised the club bid, the latter 
should have one or two clubs only, including Ace or King. 
Hence if North (dummy) ducks, East will either block 
the suit and have to lead a diamond, or if he takes with 
his honor, the Queen in dummy makes. South therefore 
refuses to play dummy's Queen of clubs. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



87 



DUCKING 



The score is love all. West deals 

A J 10 8 7 

V 10 9 6 2 
*Q76 
♦ 94 



GROUP IV 

No. 16 



A 5 3 
V 87 

♦ KJ985 

♦ A J53 




A 42 
VK53 

* A 3 

♦ K Q 10 8 6 2 



AAKQ96 
V AQ J4 

A 10 4 2 
♦ 7 



Eound 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 
3 
4 


one club 

no 

three 

diamonds 

no 


no 
no 
no 
no 


one 
diamond 
two clubs 

no 

no 


one spade 

two spades 

three spades 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A4 


44" 


24- 


74 


2 


J* 


94- 


64- 


Q4» 


3 


34k 


U 


2* 


K4k 


4 


54k 


8 4k 


44k 


6 4» 


5 


7V 


10 V 


3V 


4V 


6 


8V 


6V 


5¥ 


J¥ 


7 


5* 


2¥ 


xy 


AV 


8 


54 


9¥ 


84 


Q¥ 


9 


8* 


6* 


3* 


2* 


10 


9* 


7* 


A* 


44k 


11 


34 


10 A 


*♦ 


10 4k 


12 


J* 


Q* 


10 ♦ 


94* 


13 


K* 


J* 


Q4 


A* 



North and South win four odd tricks 



88 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 17 

Trick 1. — South can count two heart tricks* three spade 
and three club tricks, and an extra club trick if the Jack 
falls on second or third round. He cannot expect to make 
a diamond trick as the heart suit will be established. 

Trick 2. — South starts to establish spades. The lead 
of Queen cannot gain unless East has both 9 and 10 
only, and may lose. His best chance for game is to make 
four club tricks rather than four spade tricks. 

Trick 7. — South knows one adversary holds four clubs 
and as West opened a four-card suit headed by King 
Jack, South concludes he probably held originally besides 
his singleton spade, three four-card suits; and as he has 
discarded two diamonds, decides chances favor his having 
four clubs to the Jack, rather than four to the 8 or 7. 
South therefore now leads a club to take the King 10 
finesse in dummy, keeping the Jack of spades for a re- 
entry in case the finesse succeeds. 

Remarks. — If South had held instead of the 9 of clubs, 
any smaller card, the King 10 finesse in dummy at trick 
7 would be obligatory. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



89 



THE FINESSE 



The score is love all. South deals 

AA762 
¥875 3 

* K 10 

♦ J93 



GROUP IV 

No. 17 



*5 

¥ K J62 

* J 8 6 4 

♦ 7654 




AK1093 
¥10 9 4 

* 7 5 3 

♦ AK10 



A Q J84 

¥ A Q 

* A Q 9 2 

♦ Q82 



-Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one 
no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


2¥ 


3V 


9¥ 


Q¥ 


2 


5* 


A* 


3* 


4* 


3 


44 


2A 


K* 


8* 


4 


54 


3* 


*♦ 


2* 


5 


6¥ 


5V 


10 v 


Ay 


6 


64 


6A 


9* 


Q* 


7 


4* 


10 * 


3* 


2* 


8 


6* 


K* 


5* 


9* 



North and South win three odd tricks 



90 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 18 

Bidding. — East should have passed instead of bidding 
two hearts. 

Trick 2. — South is in somewhat of a quandary. He 
does not like to lead the diamond suit, as four of the 
adverse diamonds may be in one hand. The possibilities 
of the hand would seem to be in making the club suit, and 
to do so he needs to get in the dummy hand twice. He 
therefore concludes to lead a spade, and finesse in dummy, 
as if right-hand adversary wins, he cannot continue the 
heart suit without allowing declarant an extra heart trick. 

Trick 3. — East's 7 of diamonds is presumably top of 
nothing, and he is trying to get partner in for another 
heart lead. 

Trick 4. — East is now marked as having one more dia- 
mond (unless West held five diamonds originally.) So 
South leads another round of the suit in order to exhaust 
East's diamonds, as if the latter wins the second round 
of spades, he may well lead a club, especially as dummy 
is so weak in the suit. 

Trick 6. — South's best chance now is to trust the miss- 
ing honors in clubs are divided and that the 10 is on his 
right. He therefore plays low as dummy has the 8. 

Trick 8. — South now puts dummy in to lead a club for 
the finesse. He leads the diamond instead of the spade, 
as if the spade were led and the club finesse should lose, 
two spades might have been established instead of one 
diamond. 

Remarks. — If East at trick 6 had led the 10 of clubs 
so as to top dummy's 8, declarant can then make only 
two club tricks; but, if the 4 and 2 of clubs are inter- 
changed, the lead of 10 of clubs would not save a trick. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



91 



THE FINESSE AND MAKING ONE ADVERSARY LEAD 



The score is love all. South deals 

A K10 8 
V J64 
*853 

♦ Q9 6 2 



GROUP IV 

No. 18 



A J 7 6 5 2 
V 5 2 

*Q6 

♦ J 10 8 4 




V Q 10 9 7 3 

* K 10 7 4 

♦ 73 



* 943 
V A K 8 

* A J 9 2 

* AK5 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 

two 

no-trumps 


no 
no 


no 
no 


two hearts 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


5V 


4* 


9V 


K* 


2 


24 


84 


Q4 


3 4 


3 


4> 


24 


74 


*♦ 


4 


84 


64 


34 


A4 


5 


5* 


10 4 


A* 


44 


6 


Q* 


3* 


44 


24 


7 


2V 


6¥ 


10 V 


AV 


8 


10 ♦ 


Q4 


3V 


54 


9 


6* 


'5* 


74 


94 


10 


64 


K4 


7V 


94 


11 


7* 


8* 


10 4 


J4 


12 


H 


94 


K* 


A* 


13 


*♦ 


JV 


QV 


8¥ 



North and South win three odd tricks 



92 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 19 

Bidding. — South should have bid one heart initially in- 
stead of one diamond. West has a light one trick raise 
for the spade bid, but does not do so as partner may have 
had to overbid in order to show the suit, and he does not 
expect opponents to go game at diamonds. 

Trick 2. — If South has dummy ruff his two losing hearts 
he will have to lose three club tricks, or he can ruff the 
third round and trust the Queen of hearts will fall. In 
latter event, he can go game if two rounds of trumps will 
exhaust the adverse trumps, but not if one adversary has 
three trumps, as he cannot probably even lead one round 
of trumps and obtain a club ruff in dummy, in case he 
can give dummy a club discard on fourth round of hearts, 
since the adversary can defeat the play by leading trumps. 
As declarant held a singleton originally and probability 
calculations show the adverse trump distribution of three 
one is more probable than two two, and since also going 
game by not taking the heart finesse involves finding not 
only that the adverse trumps are evenly distributed, but 
that the adversary holding four or more hearts has not 
the Queen, he decides to avoid leading trumps and to try 
the heart finesse in order to get a club discard on third 
round of hearts in case finesse succeeds. 

Trick 4. — The 6 of hearts is missing and hence one ad- 
versary is false-carding, and it is probably East as West 
would not be apt to try to deceive by playing the 7 in- 
stead of the 6. As South needs to obtain two ruffs in 
dummy and cannot first take two rounds of trumps as one 
adversary may hold three trumps, he concludes it is safer 
to rely on the probability East is false-carding, and so 
leads the third round of hearts. 

Trick 5. — South leads a club to establish ruff in dummy. 

Trick 8. — South does not risk West's being able to 
overtrump. 

Trick 9. — Dummy can safely trump with the 3, as West 
cannot have both Ace and King of clubs since he neither 
opened the suit nor supported partner's spade bid. 

Trick 10. — East can now have no more diamonds. 

Remarks. — If West at trick 6 leads the heart, dummy 
refuses to trump and discards another club. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



93 



THE FINESSE AND ESTABLISHING A RUFF 



The score is love all. South deals 

4k A 10 4 3 
V 9 3 

«982 
♦ AQ 83 



GEOUP IV 

No. 19 



A Q8 

V 10 8 7 2 

* K 10 7 6 

♦ 10 6 5 




*KJ9765 
V Q65 

* A Q 4 

♦ 2 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one diamond 

three 

diamonds 


no 
no 


two 

diamonds 

no 


two spades 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q4» 


A* 


54k 


24k 


2 


2V 


3¥ 


5-V 


J¥ 


3 


7V 


9V 


QV 


AV 


4 


8V 


24 


6V 


KV 


5 


10 A 


8* 


4* 


3* 


6 


8* 


34k 


94k 


4* 


7 


6* 


9* 


Q* 


5* 


8 


7* 


44k 


K4k 


J* 


9 


K A 


34 


A* 


J* 


10 


5* 


A* 


24 


7f 


11 


10 V 


10 4k 


J4k 


K4> 


12 


64 


84 


64k 


94 


13 


10 ♦ 


Q4 


74k 


4V 



North and South win five odd tricks 



94 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 20 

Trick 1. — East's play of King of spades would seem to 
indicate it is the only spade he has, and as South may lose 
one diamond trick in establishing dummy's suit and does 
not fear the lead of any other suit, he refuses to win the 
spade trick. In other words, if West has a diamond re- 
entry as well as the Ace of hearts, he can make the spade 
suit, if declarant does not hold up the Ace. 

Trick 7. — The obvious play is to put dummy in by lead- 
ing a low spade in order to make his two established 
diamonds. South, however, still has the club suit stopped 
and as West holds five more spades, his other two cards 
are either two hearts or one heart and one club. But if 
he has two hearts and one is the Ace, he can save a trick 
by leading through. 

Remarks. — If South wins first round of spades because 
having the suit twice stopped, he can only make two odd. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



95 



The 


HOLDING UP 

score is love all. South deals 

AQ53 

V Q 4 3 GROUP V 
* K 8 No. 20 
+ AK762 


A J109742 
V A8 

* 63 

♦ Q10 8 




N 
W 

S 


E 


V J 10 7 6 2 
* Q J 10 5 4 
4 9 4 






A A86 
V K95 

* A 972 

♦ J 53 







Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 
no 


no 
no 


two 
no-trumps 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


J* 


34. 


K4k 


64k 


2 


34* 


K4» 


Q* 


24* 


3 


8f 


A* 


44 


34 


4 


10 ♦ 


*♦ 


9* 


54 


5 


Q4 


2^ 


2V 


J* 


6 


6* 


8* 


10 4. 


A* 


7 


8¥ 


QV 


6V 


5¥ 


8 


2 4 


7 4 


4* 


74* 


9 


44k 


6* 


54* 


94* 


10 


7 4. 


Q4k 


J* 


84k 


11 


AV 


3V 


10 ¥ 


9¥ 


12 


10 4k 


5 4k 


7¥ 


A4» 


13 


94k 


4¥ 


J¥ 


KV 



North and South win four odd tricks 



96 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 21 

Trick 1. — South can count two spade, two diamond, 
one heart, and two or three club tricks if he plays to make 
the club suit, so that going game would seem to depend 
on being able to make the heart suit instead, by finding 
10 of hearts with West and the honors divided. He there- 
fore refuses to win first round of spades, as otherwise, if 
East wins the first heart trick, another spade lead will 
enable the suit to be made eventually if West has the 
Ace of clubs. 

Trick 2. — South now plays King so as to save dummy's 
Ace for a re-entry if needed, and also in order to start 
the heart suit. 

Trick 3. — South finesses dummy's 8 of hearts, as it is 
the best chance to make the suit, although West could 
have both King and Queen, or East King and Queen only. 

Tricks 9 and 10. — It makes no difference how East 
discards, as South can read his hand. 

Remarks. — If South wins first round of spades, he 
makes two odd only, unless he first takes out the adverse 
Ace of clubs. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



97 



HOLDING UP 



Tlie score is love all. South, deals 



A J 10 6 4 2 
V K 10 4 

* A 5 

♦ 932 




GROUP V 

No. 21 



AQ8 
V QT2 

* J873 

♦ Q 10 8 4 



AK93 
V 95 

* K Q 10 9 

♦ AK76 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 

two 

no-trumps 


no 
no 


two hearts 
no 


no 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4A 


54 


Q4 


34 


2 


24 


74 


84 


K4 


3 


4¥ 


8V 


QV 


5¥ 


4 


A* 


24 


34 


Q4 


5 


64 


A4 


44 


94 


6 


24 


'4 


Q4 


*♦ 


7 


10 V 


JV 


2V 


9V 


8 


K* 


AV 


7V 


64 


9 


10 4 


6V 


84 


94 


10 


J* 


3¥ 


10 4 


74 


11 


5* 


44 


74 


10 4 


12 


34 


64 


84 


K4 


13 


94 


54 


J* 


A4 



North and South win four odd tricks 



98 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 22 

Trick 1. — South can count one diamond, one spade, 
three or four heart, and six club tricks or a small slam, 
provided East has not the King of clubs, and the hearts 
are evenly distributed. On the other hand, if East has 
the King of clubs, he is not even likely to go game if he 
wins the first diamond trick. He therefore refuses to 
win first round of diamonds as he will then be sure of 
game if East held originally one, two, or four diamonds. 

Remarks. — Souths refusing to win at trick 1, saves 
three tricks. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



99 



HOLDING UP 

The score is love all. South deals 

* J3 

V153 GROUP V 

* A J 10 9 8 6 No. 22 

* 97 


A 8762 

V 94 

•fc 2 

♦ A 10 6 5 4 2 


N 
W 

S 


£ 


A KQ 95 
V J 10 8 7 
*K5 3 
♦ Q3 




4 A 10 4 
V A Q 6 2 

*Q74 

♦ KJ8 







Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one 
no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


i 


54 


74 


Q4 


84 


2 


A* 


94 


34 


*♦ 


3 


9¥ 


3¥ 


8V 


QV 


4 


2* 


6* 


3* 


Q* 


5 


24 


8* 


K* 


4* 


6 


7* 


3* 


K* 


A4k 


7 


4¥ 


K* 


7¥ 


2V 



North and South win four odd tricks 



100 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



♦ COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 23 

Trick 1. — South notes that he has six sure tricks and 
that going game depends on making the club suit. To 
do so, it is necessary to prevent the adverse diamond suit 
making if possible, unless West opened a four-card suit. 
Hence South refuses to win the diamond trick, as so 
doing cannot lose a trick, although realizing the play can- 
not gain if East held three diamonds originally, for West 
could then refuse to play his Ace on second round. 

Remarks. — If South does not hold up at trick 1, he is 
set one trick. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



101 



HOLDING UP 



The score is love all. South deals 

A 643 
V 10 5 

* A J 10 7 3 2 

♦ J5 



GROUP V 

No. 23 



* 98 2 

V Q74 
*8 

♦ A108432 




A Q J 10 7 

¥ J962 

A K Q 9 

♦ Q6 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


44 


5# 


Q* 


74 


2 


A4 


*♦ 


64 


94 


3 


3* 


34i 


74» 


*♦ 


4 


8* 


10* 


Q* 


4* 


5 


2 4k 


4A 


Q* 


K4k 


6 


8« 


2* 


94* 


5* 


7 


7* 


5 V 


2V 


KV 


8 


2* 


A* 


K* 


64k 



North and South win three odd tricks 



102 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 24 

Bidding. — North reasons there is a better chance for 
four odd at spades than for five odd at diamonds, hence 
passes, as a two-diamond bid might discourage partner 
continuing spades. 

Trick 3. — South plays King of spades, since if intend- 
ing to finesse, it is better to do so on second round than 
on first round. 

Trick 5. — South refuses to take the spade finesse, since 
if it loses he will fail to go game, as adversary can then 
make a heart and a club trick. But if the adversary that 
holds the Queen of spades holds another diamond, declar- 
ant by leading diamonds can get a heart discard, and so 
can go game (unless four of the adverse trumps are in 
one hand) as dummy can continue leading diamonds until 
the adverse trump is played; then re-enter with his last 
trump by ruffing second round of clubs. South knows 
also he has a fair chance for small slam, for if East is 
false-carding in spades, the Queen of spades may drop. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



103 



REFUSING TO FINESSE 



The score is love all. South deals 

A 10 6 3 
V K 10 2 
*3 

f AKQJ74 



GROUP VI 

No. 24 



A Q 54 

VAQJ3 

* A87 

♦ 963 




* 87 
V 9 84 

* K J 10 6 5 2 

* 10 5 



A AKJ92 

V 76 5 

*Q94 
♦ 82 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one spade 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


AV 


2V 


4¥ 


5V 


2 


QV 


KV 


8V 


6¥ 


3 


4* 


3* 


74. 


K4. 


4 


34 


Jf 


54 


2t 


5 


5A 


"6 4. 


84. 


A4. 


6 


64 


Q4 


10 ♦ 


8f 


7 


94 


*♦ 


6* 


7V 


8 


Q4. 


A* 


2* 


4* 


9 


A* 


3* 


5* 


9* 



North and South win four odd tricks 



104 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 25 

Trick 2. — West's lead of the 2 of spades looks like a 
singleton, but whether it is or not, South should not risk 
East's being able to win the spade, since if West gets a 
ruff and does not have King of clubs, declarer cannot take 
the ten tricks necessary to go game. He therefore plays 
dummy's Ace of spades. 

Remarks. — If West at trick 2 had led a small heart 
(as his partner either must be out or have the Jack) 
South should refuse to trump as one adversary has at 
least four trumps, and then ruff the third round, with the 
hope, after exhausting trumps, that if East has King of 
clubs, he will not have another heart to lead. He should 
not risk loss of rubber game by trying for small slam, 
especially as there is little chance for the small slam since 
the bidding precludes West's having both the black Kings. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



10; 



REFUSING TO FINESSE 



N and S 6, E and W 12 on rubber game. South deals 



A AQ63 

¥ 10 5 3 

* A Q 10 4 2 

♦ 7 



GROUP VI 
No. 25 



A 2 
VAK9862 

* 7 5 3 

♦ 642 




A K 10 7 4 
V J74 

* K 8 

♦ 9 8 5 3 



A J985 
VQ 

* J 9 6 

♦ A K Q J 



10 



Eound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one diamond 

three 

diamonds 


one heart 
no 


two clubs 
no 


two hearts 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K* 


3V 


4V 


Q¥ 


2 


"2* 


AA 


4* 


5A 


3 


24 


T* 


3* 


10 4 


4 


4* 


5V 


54 


A4 


5 


64 


10 V 


8* 


K4 


6 


2¥ 


3A 


9* 


Q4 


7 


3* 


2* 


K* 


J* 


8 


5* 


Q* 


K* 


84 


9 


6V 


4* 


j-v 


*♦ 



North and South make four odd or game 



106 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 26 

Bidding. — North should have bid two no-trumps on 
first round, thus preventing East showing a suit. 

Trick 2. — South cannot risk the diamond finesse as if 
it loses, another heart lead by West would enable East to 
make the heart suit as latter probably has a re-entry in 
the Ace of spades, in which case South by running can 
only make three diamond tricks, possibly four clubs, and 
one heart trick. If East has both King of diamonds and 
Ace of spades, declarant can go game anyway, but on the 
other hand if West has the Ace of spades and East King 
of diamonds, the only way declarant can go game is to 
finesse the diamond, or to continue the diamond suit if the 
finesse is not made. Hence South plays Ace of diamonds. 

Trick 3. — It would seem reasonably certain that East 
with King of diamonds and not the Ace of spades would 
have led the spade at trick 2 instead of the diamond, and 
his bid also tends to confirm the inference that the latter 
has Ace of spades. Hence South now leads a spade to 
take out East's re-entry and to establish two spade tricks. 

Remarks. — East can save one trick by leading a spade 
at trick 5. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



107 



REFUSING TO FINESSE AND TAKING OUT RE-ENTRY 



The score is love all. South deals 

* Q92 

VAJ4 
*K 10 3 

♦ J 10 9 6 



GROUP VI 

No. 26 



A8763 
V 9 3 

A 9 8 4 

♦ K87 3 




A A 10 5 
V KQ86 5 
*J75 
♦ 54 



AKJ4 
V 10 7 2 

* AQ6 2 

♦ AQ 2 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 


oneno-trump 
no 
no 


no 
no 
no 


no 

two 

no-trumps 


two hearts 
no 



Trick 


West 


Korth 


East 


South 


1 


9¥ 


4¥ 


QV 


2¥ 


2 


74 


64 


54 


A4 


3 


3* 


24 


54 


K4 


4 


6* 


9* 


A* 


J* 


5 


K4 


?♦ 


44 


Q4 


6 


3V 


av 


5V 


7¥ 



North and South win four odd tricks 



108 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 27 

Bidding. — South bid one no-trump as partner only has 
to have three diamonds to the 10 to have the suit stopped. 
He should have bid one heart, however. In latter event, 
if North bids two diamonds, the final declaration will be 
the same except as it might affect West's opening lead. 

Trick 1. — South counts four club and three heart tricks, 
which with the Aces in the other two suits, means game 
if the club suit is established and brought in. He notes 
that East holds two diamonds, one of which is either 
9, 10 or King, as West cannot have all three. If South 
plays low from dummy and East happens to have the 
King, the latter will start either the spade or the heart 
suit, but if the spade is led, the adverse Ace of clubs 
would enable the suit to be made probably. Hence South 
plays dummy's Ace of diamonds in order to establish 
clubs before losing his Ace of spades, especially as if 
East has the King of diamonds the suit is blocked, and if 
the 9 or 10, West can then only make two tricks in the 
suit anyway. 

Trick 3. — West, of course, plays King of spades so as 
not to block the suit. 

Tricks 4, 5 and 6. — As dummy blocks the club suit and 
has no heart to lead, South now leads his three winning 
hearts and discards dummy's three winning clubs in order 
to make an extra club trick. 

Remarks. — Dummy's hand is a freak. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



109 



REFUSING TO FINESSE. UNBLOCKING DISCARDS 



The score is love all. South deals 

A 6 543 
¥ 

* K Q J 10 
♦ A8752 



GROUP VI 

No. 27 



* K9 

¥8 764 

*7 6 2 

♦ 10 9 4 3 




A Q J 10 8 2 
¥ J 10 9 5 3 
*A 
♦ K6 



A A 7 

¥ AKQ2 

* 9 8 543 

♦ QJ 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


34 


A4 


64 


Jf 


2 


2* 


K* 


A* 


3* 


3 


KA 


3A 


Q* 


A* 


4 


4V 


10* 


3¥ 


AV 


5 


6¥ 


J* 


5V 


Ky 


6 


7V 


Q* 


9V 


QV 


7 


6* 


4* 


2* 


9* 



North and South make three odd 



110 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 28 

Bidding. — West's two-heart bid is not sound, although 
has some justification, as he does not fear a major suit 
take-out. North prefers to try for rubber game rather 
than to double and set West. 

Trick 3. — The natural play for South is to lead the 
diamond from dummy for the finesse, but if it loses, ad- 
versaries having two Aces can make two spade tricks, 
thus preventing declarant from going game. He could 
lead King of hearts, but if West should hold up the Ace, 
he may not get dummy in again later. He therefore de- 
cides to postpone the diamond finesse and lead a club, 
hoping the 10 of clubs will drop on second or third round. 

Trick 7. — West realizes it is no use to hold up the Ace 
of hearts if South has another club; or, if not, that he 
(West), to prevent dummy obtaining the lead, will have 
to lead his singleton King of diamonds and trust his 
partner can take a diamond trick. He hopes, however, 
to save game by South's taking a diamond finesse. 

Trick 12. — East's discarding his lowest diamond instead 
of a club at trick 8 tends to indicate that his last card 
is the 10 of clubs rather than the King of diamonds, in 
which case West's two cards are the Jack of hearts and 
the King of diamonds, although it is possible he has the 
10 of clubs instead of King of diamonds. The latter 
event is much less probable, since it would mean a distri- 
bution of 5-4-4-0 for West's hand rather than a 4-4-4-1 
distribution for East's hand. 

Remarks. — The hand also shows a situation wherein 
the best chance to make both Ace and Queen of a suit 
is not to finesse. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



111 



POSTPONING A FINESSE 



The score is love all on rubber game. South deals 



4* 10 3 

V K Q 10 9 

* Q J 9 3 

♦ 10 9 8 



GROUP VI 

No. 28 



* Q972 
V A J 873 
4*875 




* K864 
¥5 

4» A 10 4 2 

♦ 7642 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 
no 


two hearts 
no 


two 
no-trumps 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


2* 


34* 


*4* 


A* 


2 


3V 


9¥ 


5¥ 


2V 


3 


5* 


3 4i 


2* 


K* 


4 


7* 


J* 


A* 


6* 


5 


Q* 


10 A 


44 


54* 


6 


74* 


84 


64* 


J4* 


7 


A* 


10 ¥ 


84* 


4y 


8 


9 4. 


94 


24 


34 


9 


8* 


Q* 


4* 


54 


10 


7V 


Kf 


44 


6V 


11 


8V 


Q¥ 


64 


J4 


12 


K-4 


10 4 


74 


A4 


13 


J¥ 


9* 


10 4* 


Q4 



North and South win three odd tricks 



112 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 29 

Trick 1. — South can count eight sure tricks, and the 
only other possible trick is to make Queen of spades un- 
less he should happen to make Jack of diamonds. He 
therefore does not hold up the Ace of hearts in case he 
should decide, after making clubs, to allow West to make 
the heart suit, as latter would then have to lead either 
diamonds or spades. 

Tricks 7 and 8. — As West discarded one spade and one 
diamond, South now decides to lead the Ace and King 
of diamonds in dummy on the chance of exhausting West's 
diamonds. 

Trick 9. — South now leads dummy's heart, as West will 
then have to lead a spade after making three heart tricks, 
unless he held four diamonds originally. While South 
cannot be certain as to the distribution of the adverse 
diamonds and spades, trusting two rounds of diamonds 
will force West to lead a spade eventually is a better 
choice than to gamble on the spade finesse, which, if it 
loses, will prevent making game. Furthermore, the card 
distributions of the West and East hands must have been 
5-3-3-2 and 4-4-3-2 respectively, or else 5-4-2-2 and 
5-3-3-2 respectively, the first named distributions being 
the more probable. 

Remarks. — Provided West holds three spades and three 
diamonds, it makes no difference how he discards or 
what cards are held, since if he discards two spades, 
South can infer he has nothing in spades, or has blanked 
King of spades either to induce a finesse or in order to 
keep three diamonds to the Queen. Hence, South at 
trick 7 would play Ace of spades, as, if the King does not 
fall, he can still make the Queen of spades by putting 
dummy in for another spade lead. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



113 



NOT HOLDING UP. THROWING THE LEAD 



The score is love all. 


South deals 




4k 643 
V K9 5 




GROUP VI 




* 10 8 7 6 

♦ AK2 




No. 29 


AK85 

VQ8642 


N 




4 J 10 7 2 
V J10 


*93 
♦ 10 7 3 


w 

s 


E 


* A 5 4 

♦ Q965 




A AQ9 

V A73 








* KQ J 2 

♦ J84 







Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4V 


5V 


10 ¥ 


AV 


2 


3* 


6* 


A* 


K* 


3 


2V 


KV 


jy 


3V 


4 


9* 


7* 


4* 


J4k 


5 


3^ 


8* 


5* 


Q* 


6 


5A 


10* 


54 


2* 


7 


74 


A^ 


64 


4^ 


8 


10 4 


*♦ 


9^ 


8^ 


9 


QV 


9¥ 


24k 


7V 


10 


8V 


2^ 


74» 


94k 


11 


6V 


34k 


10 4k 


*♦ 


12 


84 


44k 


J4k 


Q4k 


13 


K* 


64 


Q^ 


A4k 



North and South win three odd tricks 



114 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 30 

Bidding. — North has not a real double, especially after 
partner's pass, but the adverse score warrants the double 
and he hopes for a major suit take-out. East should have 
made a "rescue" by bidding two diamonds. 

Trick 1. — South can possibly make three or four club 
tricks, two or three spade tricks, and one trick each in the 
red suits, provided he establishes the spade suit before 
losing Ace of diamonds. If he plays one of dummy's 
small hearts, East will win the trick and is almost sure 
to start the diamond suit, especially as partner opened a 
four-card suit. He, therefore, plays dummy's King. 
While West does not necessarily have the Ace, the chances 
are he does, and South must make his best effort to pre- 
vent East's winning the trick. 

Trick 2. — South first leads dummy's King of clubs, be- 
fore starting the spade suit, to increase his chances of 
locating the Queen of clubs on the second round of the 
suit. 

Remarks. — An original diamond opening by West would 
have saved game, but the heart suit is probably the bet- 
ter opening. At a trump declaration, the diamond is of 
course the better opening. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



115 



NOT ALLOWING ONE ADVERSARY TO LEAD 

N and S 0, E and W 20 on first game. South deals 



A K7 5 3 
V K 6 4 2 

* A K 8 4 

♦ 3 



GROUP VI 

No. 30 



♦ A 104 
V AQ93 
*Q3 

♦ KQ97 




A 9 8 2 
V J 7 

* 972 

♦ J 10 6 5 2 



* QJ6 

V 10 8 5 

* J 10 6 5 

* A84 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


no 

two 
no-trumps 


oneno-trump 
no 


double 
no 


no 
no 



Triek 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


3V 


KV 


7¥ 


5V 


2 


3* 


K* 


2* 


5* 


3 


A* 


3* 


2* 


J* 


4 


A¥ 


2V 


JV 


8V 


5 


QV 


4V 


84 


10 ¥ 


6 


9V 


6¥ 


9A 


44 


7 


*♦ 


34 


64 


A4 


8 


Q* 


A* 


7* 


■J* 



North and South win three odd tricks 



116 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 31 

Bidding. — Although the heart bid is tempting with 
East's hand, he should have passed on first round. 

Trick 1. — It is obviously no use to pass the heart up 
to the Queen, as East would win and give his partner a 
chance to ruff. If West has the Ace of trumps, South can 
count four trump tricks, two heart and two diamond 
tricks, and at least two club tricks, making game. 

Trick 3. — South realizes if East has King of clubs, he 
will make King of hearts and a ruff by partner, thus 
saving game. In other words, if he passes the club lead 
up to the Jack, he may take either nine or eleven tricks, 
while the play of Ace from dummy ensures making ten 
tricks or game. 

Remarks. — West's best lead at trick 3 is probably the 
diamond rather than the club, although as the cards lie 
it makes no difference. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



117 



NOT ALLOWING ONE ADVERSARY TO LEAD 



The score is love all. East deals 

A 10 9 3 
V A 63 2 
*AQ64 
♦ K2 



GROUP VI 
No. 31 



A A 5 

V 10 

* 10 8 5 3 

♦987543 




A 874 
V K J 9 7 4 
*K7 
♦ Q J 10 



AKQJ62 
VQ85 

*J92 
♦ A 6 



Round 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 


one heart 
no 


one spade 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10 V 


A* 


4V 


5V 


2 


AA 


10 A 


4A 


2A 


3 


3* 


A* 


7* 


2A 


4 


5A 


3A 


7A 


JA 


5 


3A 


9A 


8A 


6A 


6 


5* 


4* 


KA 


9* 


7 


4* 


2¥ 


Ky 


8¥ 













North and South win four odd tricks 



118 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 32 

Bidding. — As opponents are 20 on rubber game, South 
decides to bid to save game if possible. While he could 
bid three clubs, he concludes that the club suit might be 
made and so takes a chance on two no-trumps. 

Trick 2. — As East should have better than a border line 
no-trump after adverse heart declaration, South does not 
believe the 3 of clubs is a top of nothing lead, although 
it is possible; and must try to make the suit, as it is his 
best chance for tricks. If the lead is from a long suit, 
East holds King Queen 7, or if from a three-card suit, 
any two of these three cards. Hence South plays the 5 
as it cannot lose (unless lead was from King Queen 3 
or a singleton), and may gain a trick besides increasing 
his chances of making the suit. 

Trick 10. — South can now make contract by playing 
Ace of hearts and King of spades, but reasons that if 
West had held both King and Queen of diamonds, he 
would have asked for a diamond lead by a reverse or high 
diamond discard in order to get in for another heart lead 
through dummy. Hence East holds 4 of spades, King and 
9 of hearts, and either Queen or King of diamonds. If 
it is the King that East holds, South can go game by 
leading the spade from dummy, but if it is the Queen, he 
will be set one trick. He of course risks the set of one 
trick for the chance of rubber game. 

Remarks. — The only play that will save game is for 
East at trick 9 to lead King of diamonds, and he should 
have done so, especially as it is unlikely declarant, hold- 
ing Queen of diamonds, would have discarded dummy's 
7 and Jack. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



119 



MAKING A SUIT 



N and S 0, E and W 20 on rubber game. West deals 

AQ65 

V A Q 10 2 GROUP VII 

* 6 4 No. 32 

♦ A J73 


4 J 9 8 2 

V 7654 

* 2 

♦ Q 8 6 5 


N 

W E 

S 


* A4 

V K J 9 8 

*KQT3 

♦ K 10 4 




A K 10 7 3 
V 3 

* A J 10 9 8 5 

♦ 92 





Bound 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 


no 
no 


one heart 
no 


oneno-trump 
no 


two 
no-trumps 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


7* 


10 V 


JV 


3V 


2 


2* 


6* 


3* 


5* 


3 


5V 


4* 


Q* 


A* 


4 


6V 


34 


K* 


J* 


5 


5* 


2V 


7* 


8* 


6 


2 4k 


74 


44 


9* 


7 


4V 


J4 


8V 


10* 


8 


8A 


QA 


A4» 


34 


9 


64 


A4 


10 4 


24 


10 


94 


5* 


44 


K* 


11 


Q4 


64 


*♦ 


94 


12 


84 


QV 


9V 


74 


13 


J* 


A» 


Ky 


10 4 



North and South win three odd tricks 



120 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 33 

Bidding. — Having a no-trump hand including one weak 
suit and four hearts to the Ace King Queen, the heart 
bid initially is preferable to the no-trump declaration; 
but with any other three honors in hearts, the no-trump 
should be bid. 

Trick 1. — West's lead is obviously top of nothing, hence 
presumably either a singleton or from a two-card suit. 
South can count four spade, two diamond, and four trump 
tricks, together with a diamond ruff in dummy, or eleven 
tricks (unless one adversary holds four or five trumps) 
and if he can establish diamonds, a possible slam. 

Trick 4. — South does not have dummy ruff one round 
of diamonds before exhausting trumps, as he will then 
make one less spade trick, since dummy will have no re- 
entry. Or if dummy ruffs two rounds of diamonds, South 
cannot then get in to lead third round of trumps. 

Trick 6. — South now leads his winning spade to clear 
dummy's spades. 

Trick 8. — South leads Jack of diamonds and can now 
make a slam by ruffing if the Queen will drop from East's 
hand, or by discarding make a slam if West holds the 
Queen, while if he plays wrong he will just make game. 
The only other missing diamond is the 5 spot and correct 
play depends solely on locating this card. Unless West 
has been false-carding, East has the 5 and dummy 
should discard, since if East has both Queen and 5, the 
play can only lose one trick, but if not holding the Queen 
also, will gain two tricks besides honor score for slam. 

Remarks. — When not knowing the habits of play of an 
adversary, it is better to play according to the fall of the 
cards, than to assume false-carding when either alter- 
native may lose. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



121 



MAKING A SUIT 



The score is love all. South deals 



AAJ76 
¥ 10 8 7 3 
* J75 3 



GROUP VII 
No. 33 



* 5 

V J94 

* AQ642 

* Q986 




A1098432 
V 6 5 

* K10 

♦ 542 



A KQ 

V AKQ2 

*98 

♦ A J 10 7 3 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one heart 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


5* 


6A 


4« 


Q4k 


2 


64 


K* 


24 


34 


3 


4V 


3V 


5V 


QV 


4 


9¥ 


7V 


6V 


K* 


5 


JV 


8V 


34k 


Ay 


6 


6* 


7 4k 


24k 


K4k 


7 


84 


3* 


4f 


A* 


8 


94 


5* 


54 


J* 


9 


Q«» 


10 V 


84k 


74 



North and South make a grand slam 



122 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 34 

Trick 1. — South plays dummy's 10 in case West is lead- 
ing from both King Jack, as in that event it might save a 
trick if he should happen to have both Ace and King of 
hearts. South notes also that West led from a four-card 
suit. 

Trick 2. — If the adverse clubs are evenly distributed, 
South can see nine tricks or game. If, however, the club 
suit is not already established, adversaries will save game, 
as they must then make one club, two heart, and two spade 
tricks; but if the heart suit will establish, South can then 
only lose two heart and two spade tricks. Hence South 
chooses the heart suit, although having a stronger club 
suit and nine clubs in the two hands as compared with 
eight hearts. To sum up, if South should find four of 
the five adverse hearts in one hand, he still has a chance 
of making five club tricks. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



123 



CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUIT 



The score is love all. South deals 

4 10 2 

V 10 6 5 4 2 GROUP VTJ 

# K 9 8 3 No. 34 

♦ A 4 



* K 8 7 4 

V. A 9 
*QJ5 

♦ 9 632 




A J965 
V K 8 7 
* 4 
♦ Q J875 



*AQ3 
V QJ3 

* A 10 7 6 2 

♦ K10 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


44 


10 * 


J4 


Q4 


2 


AV 


2¥ 


7V 


QV 


3 


74k 


24 


94 


A4 


4 


9V 


4* 


KV 


JV 


5 


84 


3* 


64 


34 


6 


K* 


84 


54 


24 


7 


Q* 


K* 


44 


64 


8 


24 


10 V 


8V 


3V 



North and South win three odd tricks 



124 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 35 

Trick 1. — South sees that if he can exhaust the adverse 
trumps in two rounds, the only tricks he can lose are two 
spades and two diamonds. 

Trick 4. — South reasons if he leads a spade he may 
lose two spade tricks, and if the suit does not establish 
or if East leads diamonds, he may also lose two diamond 
tricks. As he has the 9 and dummy the 10 of diamonds, 
declarant by establishing diamonds is certain to make 
two diamond tricks and hence need only lose one spade 
trick, while if adversaries start spades he is likely to lose 
only one spade trick also. South therefore leads the 
diamond suit. 

Remarks. — West at trick 6 could try the spade suit, but 
the result would be the same. If declarant at trick 4 
leads the spade suit and East on winning starts the dia- 
mond suit, West can save game by refusing to play Ace 
of diamonds. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



125 



CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUIT 



The score is love all. South deals 

4K103 

V 10 4 3 2 GROUP VII 

* J 8 4 No. 35 

♦ 10 5 3 



A94 
V Q 8 

* K Q 10 7 5 2 

♦ A J6 




A AJ75 
V J7 

* A 9 6 3 

♦ 874 



AQ862 
V AK965 

* 





♦ KQ92 






Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one heart 
three hearts 


two clubs 
no 


no 
no 


three clubs 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K* 


4* 


6* 


5¥ 


2 


8V 


2* 


7V 


Ay 


3 


QV 


3V 


JV 


K* 


4 


6t 


34 


44 


*♦ 


5 


J4 


5* 


T4 


2* 


6 


2* 


8* 


9* 


6¥ 


7 


A* 


104 


84 


Q4 


8 


5* 


J* 


A* 


9V 



North and South win four odd tricks 



126 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 36 

Trick 1. — While South has a choice of trying to es- 
tablish either the diamond suit or the club suit and 
should ordinarily play for the former suit, having seven 
diamonds in the two hands as compared with six clubs, 
yet the club suit should be chosen since West's diamond 
lead (he having bid spades) may well be a short suit 
opening, and if one adversary has four diamonds, he will 
have to ruff in the hand having the high trumps. Hence 
he plays dummy's King to save his re-entry for the club 
suit. He notes also that the only tricks he is likely to 
lose are one club and two spade tricks. 

Trick 4. — South could lead the club suit first, but does 
not wish to risk West's opening being a singleton. Of 
course, if West has another diamond, he could have dum- 
my ruff the second and third round of clubs and save a 
trick, if the King of clubs will fall. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



127 



CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUIT 



The score is love all. South deals 

A 842 
V 10 8 4 2 
*A 

♦ K8753 



GROUP VII 
No. 36 



A A Q J 10 9 
V J73 

* 10 5 3 

♦ Q J 




A K73 
V 65 

* K9 42 

♦ 10 9 6 2 



A 6 5 

V A K Q 9 

* Q J876 

♦ A 4 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 


one heart 

three clubs 

no 


one spade 
no 
no 


two hearts 
three hearts 


two spades 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q4 


K4 


6« 


4f 


2 


3* 


A* 


2* 


6* 


3 


3V 


2V 


5V 


QV 


4 


7* 


4¥ 


6V 


Ky 


5 


JV 


8V 


7* 


Ay 


6 


5* 


34 


K* 


Q* 


7 


A* 


2* 


K* 


5* 


8 


QA 


4* 


3* 


6* 


9 


J* 


8* 


2^ 


9V 


10 


10* 


54 


4* 


J* 


11 


9* 


10 y 


9* 


7* 


12 


*♦ 


?♦ 


9> 


A^ 


13 


10* 


8# 


10 ♦ 


8* 



North and South win four odd tricks 



128 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 37 

Bidding. — North is so strong that a bid of two no- 
trumps to prevent East's showing a suit is not necessary. 

Trick 1. — South notes that he has eleven sure tricks 
and if the spades are evenly distributed, a small slam. 

Trick 6. — If South leads three rounds of spades and 
finds four spades with one adversary, he will lose a spade 
trick and a heart trick, but since West cannot get in to 
make clubs, by leading two rounds of clubs, East will 
have to make another discard. 

Trick 8. — East is now marked with King and Queen 
of hearts and four spades, as he would undoubtedly have 
discarded one spade holding more than four spades. 
Hence South now leads a heart. 

Remarks. — If East discards a spade at trick 7, South 
of course leads a spade at trick 8. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



129 



POSTPONING THE LEAD OF A FOUR-CARD SUIT CON- 
TAINING ACE KING QUEEN IN THE TWO HANDS 

The score is love all. South deals 

* AQ95 

V A 8 3 GROUP VII 

* A Q 4 No. 37 

* K J 6 



*82 
V 7 4 

* J9732 

♦ 875 2 




A J 10 7 3 
VKQ1062 

* 10 5 

♦ 43 



*K64 
V J 9 5 
A K86 
♦ A Q 10 9 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


3* 


Q* 


5* 


6* 


2 


24 


*♦ 


54 


9* 


3 


54 


J* 


44 


Q* 


4 


14 


6* 


2¥ 


A^ 


5 


B4 


3V 


6¥ 


10 4 


6 


2* 


A* 


10* 


8* 


7 


7* 


4* 


10 ¥ 


K* 


8 


4¥ 


8¥ 


QV 


5V 


9 


V¥ 


AV 


K* 


9¥ 



North and South make a small slam 



130 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 38 

Bidding. — While North should perhaps leave the no- 
trump in, as South denies hearts and can only have spades 
and clubs once stopped or else one of the two black suits 
twice stopped, as otherwise he would have bid no-trumps 
originally, North concludes there is not much chance for 
game at no-trumps. 

Trick & — South sees, that if the heart finesse in dummy 
will win and the suit can be established, a chance for little 
slam. 

Trick 5. — South does not now have dummy ruff the 
two losing spades, as if three of the four adverse trumps 
are in one hand, one must make. Hence he leads one 
round of trumps for dummy to win as the latter has 
enough re-entries for the heart suit. 

Trick 7. — South ruffs with the Ace as the play will 
gain if West is out of hearts and the adverse trumps are 
evenly distributed. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



131 



TRUMP AND SUIT MANAGEMENT 



The score is love all. South deals 



A 94 

V A Q 9 4 2 

* 10 9 3 

+ KQ J 



GROUP VIII 

No. 38 



A Q 10 7 6 
V J87 
*87654 

♦ 9 




*AJ3 

V K 10 5 
*KQJ2 

♦ 10 4 3 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 


one diamond 

one no-trump 

no 


no 
no 
no 


one heart 

two 
diamonds 


no 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


6* 


4* 


A* 


2* 


2 


6* 


3* 


K* 


A* 


3 


7* 


QV 


KV 


3V 


4 


7* 


9* 


J* 


24 


5 


9* 


J* 


3i 


54 


6 


8V 


AV 


5¥ 


6V 


7 


JV 


2¥ 


10 V 


A^ 


8 


4* 


Q* 


44 


64 


9 


5* 


K* 


10 ♦ 


74 



North and South win five odd tricks 



132 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 39 

Bidding. — North's three-club bid indicates a chance 
for game at clubs or else assistance for a no-trump. 
South, however, having a singleton diamond, prefers to 
bid three hearts on second round, on the chance of finding 
heart assistance. 

Trick 2. — The hand suggests a cross-ruff and so played, 
South can expect to make besides the spade trick already- 
made, one diamond, two clubs, two spade ruffs in dummy 
and two diamond ruffs in own hand, which with the 
King of hearts falls one trick short of going game. There 
is of course a chance to make another ruff on the diamond, 
but this lessens the chance of making King of trumps and 
there is besides a chance East may be able to overtrump 
on third round of spades. If, however, two club tricks 
can be made, the suit is already established and by ex- 
hausting trumps, eleven tricks are possible unless Ace 
Queen Jack of trumps are all in West's hand. South does 
not now give dummy one spade ruff, as if East should 
be able to win second round of trumps, he might then 
lose two spade tricks. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



133 



TRUMP AND SUIT MANAGEMENT. 

A RUFF 



POSTPONING 



The score is love all. South deals 

* 6 

¥ 6 4 3 

* KQ 75 2 

* A7 5 3 



group vin 

No. 39 



♦ KQ1052 
V Q J 5 

♦ J43 

♦ KQ 




A 984 

V A 7 

* 10 6 

♦ J9 864 2 



A A J73 

V K 10 9 8 2 

*A98 
♦ 10 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


oneno-trump 
three hearts 


two spades 
no 


three elubs 
no 


no 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K* 


64 


44 


A4 


2 


3* 


Q* 


64 


94 


3 


JV 


3¥ 


7V 


8¥ 


4 


Kf 


A* 


64 


10 ♦ 


5 


5V 


4V 


A* 


2V 


6 


Q4 


34 


24 


9¥ 


7 


24 


6¥ 


84 


34 


8 


4^ 


24 


10 4 


A4 


9 


QV 


54 


44 


Kf 



North and South win five odd tricks 



134 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 40 

Trick 2. — South realizes he may not go game as he has 
to lose one spade trick, may lose one trump trick, and 
if the clubs lie unfavorably with West in the lead, may 
also lose two or three club tricks. His best chance for 
game would seem to be to try to make the spade suit. 
He wants East in the lead so that dummy's King of clubs 
can not be captured; it is a guess and an even chance 
whether East has King of spades or Queen of hearts and 
may have both, but if South leads the trump, he is not 
likely to make the spade suit. He therefore has dummy 
lead a spade. 

Trick 3. — East hopes partner can ruff a spade, as if so, 
a club lead will then save game. The spade lead is 
apparently the only chance to get partner in, but it 
makes no difference what he leads, unless he makes his 
Ace of clubs. 

Trick 4. — South now leads Ace of trumps intending 
to follow with the Jack and allow East to win if he has the 
Queen, as in latter event if East then leads another 
spade, he (South) can ruff with the 10, thus preventing 
West obtaining the lead, and then put dummy in on third 
round of trumps to make the balance of the spade suit. 

Trick 6. — South realizes that if West does not have the 
one missing spade and has the one remaining adverse 
trump (the 9 of hearts) he may have to lose two club 
tricks, but if so, it cannot be helped. Hence he now leads 
dummy's spades to force out the adverse trump and thus 
have a trump for a re-entry. 

Remarks.— While East at trick 2 would naturally play 
the King of spades, as the cards lie, if he plays low, op- 
ponents can only take ten tricks. West's play of the 
Queen of hearts at trick 5 does not indicate he has no 
more trumps, as in this case he should cover to prevent 
dummy having a trump re-entry. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



135 



TRUMP AND SUIT MANAGEMENT 



The score is love all. South deals 

A A 10 8 6 4 2 

V K8 2 

* K 6 3 

♦ A 



GROUP VIII 

No. 40 



AT5 
VQ4 

* J985 

♦ Q 976 3 




AKJ9 

V 973 

* A Q4 

♦ 10 8 5 4 



A Q 3 

V A J 10 6 5 

* 10 7 2 

♦ K J2 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one heart 


no 


no 


no 



Triek 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


64 


At 


54 


2* 


2 


54 


'2* 


*4 


34 


3 


74 


44 


94 


Q4 


4 


4V 


2 ^ 


3* 


A* 


5 


QV 


KV 


7V 


J¥ 


6 


3i 


A> 


J4 


24 


7 


74 


10 4 


9V 


10 v 


8 


9* 


3* 


8* 


K* 


9 


Q4 


8¥ 


44 


J* 



North and South make a small slam 



136 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 41 

Bidding. — South of course can bid three hearts on sec- 
ond round as his partner supported the bid after bidding 
diamonds initially, thus showing at least three tricks for 
the heart declaration. 

Trick 3. — As dummy has four trumps, the diamond suit 
can probably be made, and if so, ruffing clubs will not be 
necessary except for purpose of re-entry. 

Trick 5. — East may have been false-carding at trick 3, 
but if out of diamonds the lead of a diamond cannot lose, 
as dummy will have an extra trump for ruffing clubs. 
On the other hand, if South puts dummy in the lead by a 
club ruff, for another trump lead through East in order 
to capture the latter's King, he will have to lose two club 
tricks, while if East has another diamond, the suit can 
be made and a small slam obtained. 

Trick 6. — South must now lead a diamond from dummy 
to establish the suit. If the trump is led for another 
finesse, the diamond suit can not be made, as dummy will 
have no re-entry after establishing the suit. 

Trick 8. — East sees it is no use to trump as his King 
will then be captured, and dummy will have an extra 
trump to re-enter and so will make the suit anyway. 

Trick 10. — South must now lead a trump from dummy. 
If he leads the last diamond, South will have to trump 
(Grand Coup) to avoid leading from his major tenace at 
trick 12 ; but East will have obtained another club discard 
and so will probably be able to overtrump dummy, if 
South leads his remaining club. 

Remarks. — This hand well illustrates the extra tricks 
that can usually be obtained by establishing and bringing 
in a long suit, rather than playing the hand to ruff as 
much as possible. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



137 



TRUMP AND SUIT MANAGEMENT 



The score is love all. North deals 





A 642 
V 10 6 5 2 

.ffL 


GROUP VIII 
No. 41 




+ AK7653 


A A 10 9 5 3 
V J 

* A J9T3 

♦ 42 


N 

W E 

S 


AQJ8 
V K8 4 
*K85 2 
♦ Q J 10 




* K7 

V A Q973 

* Q 10 6 4 

* 98 





Bound 


Dealer 


East 


South 


West 


1 
2 
3 


one diamond 
two hearts 
four hearts 


no 

two spades 
no 


one heart 

three hearts 

no 


one spade 

three spades 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A* 


24 


84 


74 


2 


5* 


44 


J4 


K4 


3 


24 


K4 


Q4 


84 


4 


J¥ 


2V 


4V 


QV 


5 


44 


A4 


J4 


94 


6 


34 


34 


10 4 


7V 


7 


3* 


5V 


24 


44 


8 


94 


54 


54 


64 


9 


7* 


64 


84 


10 4 


10 


9* 


6¥ 


8¥ 


9V 


11 


J* 


10 V 


K4 


Q4 


12 


10 4 


74 


K* 


At 


13 


A* 


64 


Q4 


3V 



North and South make a small slam 



138 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 42. 

Trick 2. — West reasons that unless East has the club 
suit stopped, the diamond lead will not save game, al- 
though it might save a small slam, while the force might 
prevent club suit being made. South sees that he can 
get a spade discard on second round of clubs, rufT his last 
spade, and take eleven tricks if dummy can win the third 
round of diamonds by ruffing. Such play, however, gives 
up the chance for a small slam by making the club suit. 

Trick 3. — Since dummy has been forced, South can not 
lead trumps, as if the clubs do not clear or establish on 
third round, he cannot then make the suit, if two rounds 
of trumps do not exhaust the adverse trumps. 

Trick 7, — South now abandons clubs and leads a dia- 
mond from dummy in order to get in to give the latter 
another spade ruff, as he is thus sure of four odd or game. 
South realizes, however, that if West held two or three 
trumps originally, he can get another trick by leading 
clubs and ruffing with the King, and leading two rounds 
of trumps, dummy winning second round so as to be in 
the lead to make the rest of the clubs; but if he does so, 
and finds on leading the Ace of trumps that East held 
three trumps, he can then only make three odd, although 
East's having three trumps is improbable as West must 
then have held seven diamonds and would possibly have 
bid the suit. 

Remarks. — If two rounds of trumps would exhaust the 
adverse trumps, South at trick 3 could lead dummy's small 
trump, and on winning with the King, lead a club and 
then ruff the third round of clubs with the Ace. Dummy 
can then win the second round of trumps, following with 
fourth round of clubs, which establishes the suit, thus 
making a small slam. South, however, does not risk 
three of the adverse trumps being in one hand. 

If West at trick 2 leads a diamond, South takes and 
leads the club for dummy to win, and to follow with a low 
club which South ruffs. South then leads three rounds 
of trumps, if necessary, dummy winning the third round, 
so as to be in the lead to establish the club suit besides 
having a trump left for a re-entry if needed. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



139 



TRUMP AND SUIT MANAGEMENT 



The score is love all. North deals 



A? 

V Q85 2 

* AKJ863 

♦ J9 



GROUP VIII 

No. 42 



*KQ6 

V J 10 4 

*74 

♦ K Q 10 8 2 




AAJ542 
V 9 

* Q 10 5 2 

♦ 764 



A 10 9 8 3 

VAK763 

* 9 

♦ A53 



Round 


Dealer 


East 


South 


West 


1 
2 
3 


one club 

three hearts 

four hearts 


one spade 
no 
no 


two hearts 
no 
no 


two spades 

three spades 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


KA 


7* 


2* 


3* 


2 


Q4 


2V 


4* 


8* 


3 


4* 


A* 


2* 


9* 


4 


7* 


K* 


5* 


3* 


5 


10 ¥ 


3* 


10* 


6¥ 


6 


6* 


5V 


5* 


94 


7 


2* 


9* 


4* 


A4 


8 


84 


8V 


J* 


10* 


9 


4V 


QV 


9¥ 


3* 


10 


Q* 


J4 


64 


54 


11 


*♦ 


6* 


74 


7V 


12 


JV 


8* 


Q* 


A» 


13 


10 ♦ 


J* 


AA 


KV 



North and South win four odd tricks 



140 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 43 

Bidding. — East should bid one no-trump rather than 
pass his partner's spade declaration. West can bid three 
spades, but as he had already raised his own bid and 
partner afterwards had an opportunity to support him, 
the situation justifies not bidding up to the full strength 
of his hand. 

Trick 1. — As East can have no more spades, it is no use 
to hold up the Ace, hoping to make the Jack, nor is it 
any use to exhaust trumps to prevent East ruffing spades, 
as South has to lose the spade tricks anyway. South 
notes that if he can make a diamond trick and can ruff 
third round of diamonds and fourth round of spades, he 
will then have to lose only one diamond and two spade 
tricks. 

Trick 2. — South does not know whether to play dum- 
my's King or Jack of diamonds as either may lose, but as 
West might have played Ace if he had it and may have 
his outside trick in the club suit instead of the diamond 
suit, the play of Jack would seem to be the better chance. 

Trick 7. — East should have trumped his partner's trick 
in order to lead another round of trumps, but did not 
infer his partner might have no more trumps. 

Remarks. — Declarant's hand is a freak. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



141 



THE RUFF 



The score is love all*. West deals 

A 863 
V A Q 2 
* J9843 
♦ K J 



GROUP IX 
No. 43 



*KQ1094 
V 7 

* A Q 10 5 

♦ Q82 




*7 

¥10 6 3 
*K76 2 
♦ A 10 6 5 4 



Bound 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 
3 


one spade 

two spades 

no 


no 
three hearts 


no 
no 


two hearts 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K* 


3* 


7* 


A* 


2 


24 


J4 


A* 


3t 


3 


5* 


3* 


2* 


4V 


4 


84 


K* 


4t 


74 


5 


94> 


6* 


5* 


24k 


6 


7V 


2V 


3¥ 


8¥ 


7 


10 4* 


8A 


6* 


54k 


8 


Q4» 


QV 


7* 


J4k 


9 


10* 


4* 


K* 


sv 


10 


Q* 


AV 


6* 


94 


11 


Q* 


8* 


10 ♦ 


9¥ 


12 


44k 


9* 


6¥ 


KV 


13 


A* 


J* 


10 ¥ 


J¥ 



North and South win four odd tricks 



142 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 44 

Bidding. — South with an adverse love score should 
pass East's one no-trump bid. Although East does not 
expect opponents to go game, he should overcall three 
hearts with four diamonds as fulfilling contract means 
game. 

Trick 1. — South can place the entire spade suit, since 
West's opening cannot be a singleton as East would then 
have bid spades originally and latter cannot have a no- 
trump without King of spades. If East does not get a 
spade ruff, South can count one diamond, three spade, 
and five trump tricks. 

Trick 2. — Exhausting trumps first might result in 
South's losing four club tricks, while if he establishes 
spades first, East may lead a club and obtain a spade ruff; 
thus saving game. As a club ruff in dummy is necessary 
in order to go game, he now leads a club, hoping East 
will win the second round of clubs, thus preventing the 
possibility of East's being able to obtain a spade ruff. 

Trick 6. — If South now gives dummy a club ruff, he 
cannot exhaust trumps and establish partner's 10 and 8 
of spades while still holding a losing club; or if dummy 
leads the spade after ruffing, East can then lead his last 
winning club (West cannot have held four as would have 
opened with a club holding Queen Jack 9 3) giving 
partner a diamond discard, probably, and forcing one of 
dummy's high trumps. South cannot then get in by a 
ruff on the diamond nor overtake dummy's trump lead 
without setting up an adverse trump trick. Hence he 
now leads the Jack of spades so as not to block dummy's 
spades, knowing West cannot get in to give partner a 
spade ruff. 

Remarks. — East, at trick 3, realizes that he could lead 
his King of spades and probably obtain a spade ruff if 
partner has the Queen of clubs. But he cannot locate 
the Queen of clubs, and hopes to make a diamond trick. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



143 



ESTABLISHING A RUFF 



N and S 0, E and W 24 on rubber game. East deals 



A 10 8 3 2 
VKQ8 

* 4 2 

♦ A 87 3 



GROUP IX 

No. 44 



A 9 6 5 4 
V 10 5 2 

* Q 9 3 

♦ 65 2 




A KQ 

¥96 

* AKJ7 

♦ K Q 10 9 4 



A A J 7 
V A J743 

* 10 8 6 5 

♦ J 



Round 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 


oneno-trump 
no 


two hearts 
no 


no 
no 


three hearts 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4* 


2A 


Q4 


A4 


2 


3* 


2« 


7* 


54 


3 


24 


A4 


K4 


J* 


4 


9* 


4^ 


KA 


64 


5 


54 


34 


Q4 


3V 


6 


5* 


34 


K4 


J4 


7 


64 


74 


10 4 


4V 


8 


QA 


8V 


J* 


84 


9 


2¥ 


K V 


6¥ 


7V 


10 


5V 


QV 


9¥ 


A? 


11 


10 v 


84 


44 


JV 


12 


64 


84 


94 


74 


13 


9* 


10 4 


A* 


10 4 



North and South win four odd tricks 



144 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 45 

Bidding. — South bid a heart, owing to adverse advance 
score and also to indicate a lead. 

Trick 3. — West's bidding indicates presumably at least 
ten cards divided between clubs and spades, in which case 
he cannot have more than one heart, and, unless the 
singleton trump is the King, which East's double would 
seem to preclude, South can now expect to make all his 
four trumps, two diamond ruffs in dummy, which with the 
King of spades spells contract doubled. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



145 



THE CROSS-RUFF 



N and S 0, E and W 24 on rubber game. 

* K 9 3 
V Q 98 6 

* 10 9 6 2 

* AQ 



West deals 

GROUP IX 

No. 45 



A Q J 10 8 4 

¥3 

* A Q J 4 3 

♦ K10 




A 752 
V K754 
A K 
♦ J9642 



A A6 

V A J 10 2 

* 8 T 5 

♦ 8753 



Round 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 


one club 


no 


no 


one heart 


2 


one spade 


two hearts 


two spades 


no 


3 


no 


three hearts 


no 


no 


4 


three spades 


four hearts 


double 


no 


5 


no 


no 







Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q4 


34 


24 


A4 


2 


104 


Q* 


2* 


3 4 


3 


K4 


A4 


44 


54 


4 


44 


K4 


54 


64 


5 


84 


94 


74 


2V 


6 


3* 


6V 


64 


7* 


7 


3¥ 


8V 


4V 


10 V 


8 


10 4 


9V 


9* 


84 


9 


44 


2 4 


K* 


54 



North and South make contract doubled 



146 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 46 

Bidding. — North, after West's three-diamond bid, can 
go four clubs, but he likes the diamond bid and does not 
expect to go game at clubs. West can double three 
spades, but does not wish to encourage a shift to clubs. 

Trick 2. — South can see two spade tricks, three more 
diamond ruffs, three spade ruffs in dummy and will then 
have one trump left in each hand, adversaries making the 
last three tricks (two hearts and a trump). Hence South 
must try to make a heart trick to go game, and so leads a 
heart before starting the cross-ruff. 

Trick 6. — South now makes Ace and King of spades 
and, as he has all the high trumps in the two hands, can 
make all the trumps separately. 

Remarks. — South at trick 2 can try to establish the 
spade suit; that is, make the thirteenth spade, but as he 
has been forced once, if the adverse trumps are distrib- 
uted three one instead of two two, he will then have only 
one trump left after exhausting adverse trumps and so 
can not make the heart trick needed to go game. If the 
adversary who wins the second round of hearts can lead 
a second round of trumps, Souths going game will then 
depend on being able to establish one spade trick. The 
real point of South's play, however, is recognizing the 
necessity of trying to make a heart trick. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



147 



THE CROSS-RUFF 



The score is love all. South deals 



4.8 

V J 10 2 

* A J93 

♦98752 



GROUP IX 

No. 46 



4» Q J642 

V A874 

*2 

♦ K J3 




A 10 9 
V K95 

♦ 765 

♦ A Q 10 6 4 



4»AK753 
VQ63 

AKQ10 84 

♦ 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 
4 


one spade 

three clubs 

three spades 

no 


no 

three 

diamonds 

no 

no 


no 

no 

four clubs 


two 

diamonds 

no 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K4 


24 


44 


4* 


2 


4V 


10 V 


KV 


3¥ 


3 


2* 


3* 


7* 


8« 


4 


AV 


2V 


5V 


6V 


5 


TV 


JV 


9¥ 


Q¥ 


6 


2^ 


84* 


94» 


A4» 


7 


4 * 


5* 


10 * 


K4» 


8 


64 


9* 


64 


34. 


9 


*♦ 


74 


10 4 


10« 


10 


J* 


J* 


Q4 


54. 


11 


34 


84 


A# 


Q4k 


12 


QA 


A* 


5* 


74. 


13 


8V 


9f 


6* 


K* 



North and South win five odd tricks 



148 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 47 

Trick 2. — South realizes if he accepts the force and 
then finds four trumps with one adversary, he can not go 
game; also, that if he takes the force, he cannot try to 
exhaust trumps without first making a heart trick, as ad- 
verse Ace of hearts will enable adversaries to make the 
diamond suit. Hence he refuses to ruff and will not 
have to take a force on third round as dummy can then 
ruff. 

Trick 4. — South, to go game, probably must make four 
trump tricks, five club tricks and one heart trick, and 
must make the heart trick before exhausting dummy's 
trumps so that the latter can take the force if diamonds 
are led. 

Remarks. — While South can be considered lucky to drop 
the Jack of spades, his play will probably win against 
an even distribution of trumps and also against any four 
adverse trumps except four to the Jack, and is therefore 
preferable to assuming one adversary has four to the 
Jack and then deciding in which hand to take the finesse. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



149 



REFUSING A FORCE 



The score is love all. East deals 

A Q 10 3 
V K 9 84 2 

* A Q5 

♦ 93 



GROUP X 

No. 47 



A 8 74 2 
V J 10 3 

* J8 

♦ K 10 5 4 




4 J5 

V A 6 

* 94 2 

♦ AQ8762 



4 AK9 6 
V Q7 5 

* K 10 7 6 3 

♦ J 



Bound 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 

2 


one diamond 
no 


one spade 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


44 


34 


A4 


J4 


2 


10 4 


94 


24 


5V 


3 


J* 


A* 


2* 


6* 


4 


3V 


2V 


AV 


7V 


5 


8* 


Q* 


9* 


3* 


6 


2* 


34 


54 


K4 


7 


. 4* 


Q4 


J4 


64 


8 


74 


10 4 


64 


A4 


9 


84 


4V 


44 


94 



Xorth and South win four odd tricks 



150 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 48 

Bidding. — East should have either passed or bid the 
diamond on second round. North should have bid one 
no-trump, instead of allowing his partner's heart bid to 
stand, but possibly hoped East might continue the dia- 
mond bid. If North had bid no-trumps, South would then 
bid clubs and make a small slam. 

Trick 1. — South knows one adversary has at least four 
trumps, and so he (South) cannot stand two forces and 
make the club suit; that is, if dummy wins the diamond 
and leads the trump, West will probably be able to win a 
trump trick and may be able to lead another diamond; 
then if East wins a trump trick, a second force would give 
one adversary the last trump and probably prevent going 
game. Hence South holds up dummy's Ace as the next 
round will exhaust West's diamonds, if he has another 
diamond (unless East bid on only four diamonds origi- 
nally). 

Trick 8. — If West has the remaining adverse trump, it 
must now make, but it can't be helped. His only chance 
for game is to find the trump with East. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



151 



SAVING A FORCE 

The score is love all. East deals 

A A87 
V 3 

* Q J 10 8 
+ A9743 



GROUP X 

No. 48 



AK109543 

V Q75 
A 6 2 

♦ 10 2 




A J 2 

V K864 

•fr 7 4 

♦ KQ J85 



AQ6 

V A J 10 9 2 
* AK953 
♦ 6 



Bound 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 


one diamond 
no 


one heart 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10 4 


3^ 


54 


6^ 


2 


2* 


A4 


84 


64k 


3 


QV 


3V 


4V 


9¥ 


4 


10 A 


A* 


2 4k 


Q4k 


5 


2* 


Q* 


4* 


K* 


6 


5¥ 


4* 


6¥ 


A* 


7 


7V 


7^ 


KV 


JV 


8 


34k 


94 


£♦ 


2V 


9 


44 


7 4k 


8V 


10 V 



North and South win four odd tricks 



152 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 49 

Bidding. — North bids correctly in supporting the dia- 
mond suit, as he can show the club suit on second round 
if necessary. 

Trick 1. — South can reasonably expect to make one 
heart, one spade, one club and three trump tricks, to- 
gether with two heart ruffs in dummy and a spade ruff in 
his own hand. He also has a chance for another club 
trick, making a total of ten tricks or one trick short of 
game. If, however, he can make two club tricks, the 
chances strongly favor that the club suit can be brought 
in, which would mean more tricks and the cross-ruff not 
necessary. 

Trick 2. — South first leads the club from dummy to 
find out if the suit can be established, as, if not, the in- 
tended line of play can be abandoned. He is careful to 
play the 8 of clubs, as otherwise he might block the suit. 

Trick 4. — South now leads the trump from dummy and, 
as he finds the Queen on his right, can make a slam if 
the adverse trumps are evenly distributed; but if he wins 
the trump, ruffs one heart in dummy, and attempts to ex- 
haust trumps and then finds four in one hand, he not 
only loses a slam, but will fail to go game as he will have 
two losing hearts and a losing spade. In other words, 
if he takes the trump trick, he may make either nine or 
thirteen tricks, while refusing to win the first round en- 
sures a small slam, unless one adversary holds more than 
four trumps. 

Remarks. — The hand is partly interesting because of 
the fact that if the Queen of trumps lies in West's hand, 
so that the finesse loses, it is easier not to misplay the 
hand. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



153 



ASSUMING ONE ADVERSARY HAS FOUR TRUMPS 



The score is love all. South deals 

A 9 7 5 
V A 

*AK7642 
♦ 10 8 3 



GROUP X 

No. 49 



AK843 
V K Q J 9 5 

* 9 3 

♦ 65 




A Q 10 6 2 
V 84 3 

* Q 10 

♦ Q974 



A A J 

V 10 7 6 2 

* J8 5 

♦ AK J 2 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one diamond 
no 


one heart 
no 


two 
diamonds 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


KV 


AV 


3¥ 


2V 


2 


3* 


A* 


10« 


8* 


3 


9* 


K* 


Q* 


J* 


4 


54 


10 '♦ 


Q4 


24 


5 
6 


4* 
9V 


84 


24k 

4¥ 


A4. 
6f 


7 


64 


34 


44 


J* 


8 


3« 


74» 


7* 


A^ 


9 


8A 


9A 


94 


*♦ 


10 


5V 


6* 


6* 


5* 



North and South make a small slam 



154 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 50 

Bidding. — South should show the club suit instead of 
bidding three hearts. 

Trick 1. — South can count a small slam if the adverse 
trumps are three each, and he can either drop the Queen 
of clubs in two rounds or else take the finesse in the 
right hand. 

Trick 2. — If South attempts to exhaust trumps and 
finds one adversary with four trumps, the adverse Ace of 
diamonds will enable adversaries to make spades. He 
therefore leads King of diamonds first. 

Trick 3. — South decides not to try for small slam for 
the sake of fifty-eight additional points and risk the loss 
of rubber game, if there are four adverse trumps in one 
hand. He therefore refuses the force as if spades are 
again led, dummy can ruff. He discards a club, and can 
get two more discards eventually on dummy's established 
diamonds, thus avoiding trying to drop or locate the 
Queen of clubs. 

Remarks. — If South tries for small slam, he is set two 
tricks, but as his hand is a freak, he should not count 
on the adverse distribution of trumps being three three. 
If, though, he had bid clubs, he goes game easily. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



155 



ASSUMING ONE ADVERSARY HAS FOUR TRUMPS 



The score is love all on rubber 

*K4 

V A3 

* K 10 9 2 

♦ Q J942 


game 


. South deals 

GROUP X. 

No. 50 


* J 10 9 6 5 3 

V 6 4 

* Q65 

* A7 


N 
W 

S 


E 




A AQ872 
V J 10 7 5 

* 3 

♦ 8 6 5 




A 










V KQ982 

* A J874 

♦ K10 3 







Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 


one heart 
three hearts 
four hearts 


one spade 
no 
no 


two hearts 
no 
no 


two spades 

three spades 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


J4k 


4* 


84k 


2¥ 


2 


A^ 


24 


54 


*♦ 


3 


3* 


K4k 


A4k 


44k 


4 


?♦ 


4f 


84 


10 4 


5 


4V 


AV 


5V 


8V 


6 


6V 


3¥ 


TV 


QV 


7 


54k 


2* 


10 v 


KV 


8 


64k 


94 


6* 


3* 


9 


94k 


<*♦ 


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74k 


10 


10 A 


94k 


Q4k 


9¥ 


11 


54> 


10 4k 


34k 


A 4k 


12 


6* 


K4k 


24k 


8* 


13 


Q* 


J* 


74k 


J* 



North and South win four odd tricks 



156 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 51 

Trick 2. — South can count a small slam if the adverse 
trumps are evenly distributed and the King of trumps 
is in East's hand, or if the latter has the King once 
guarded. If, however, the spade finesse loses he cannot 
make a small slam, while if either adversary has four 
trumps to the King and the spade finesse wins, it would 
not necessarily mean that the King is with East, as 
West might be holding up until second round so that he 
can force South again by a heart lead. 

Trick 3. — As South now has only four trumps and 
dummy two, he decides not to try for small slam for the 
sake of fifty-nine additional points and risk loss of rubber 
game in case West has four trumps to the King. He 
therefore leads Queen of spades in order to establish 
the trump suit while dummy still has a trump, so that 
he (South) cannot be forced again with hearts. 

Trick 4. — As South cannot tell which adversary is hold- 
ing up the King of trumps, he decides to lead the Ace of 
trumps and allow the two remaining adverse trumps to 
make, as he now is practically sure of game. 

Kemarks. — While South did not reason that if he tried 
for small slam and found four spades to the King with 
East, that he might not go game; as he had no reason to 
suppose that he could not get dummy in twice for two 
trump leads, although having nine diamonds in the two 
hands and adversaries ten hearts, there might well be an 
unusual distribution in one of the other suits. His play, 
however, will produce game whether the adverse trumps 
are three three or four two, and as the cards lie, is the 
only way that will go game; except ab trick 4, he could 
put dummy in for one trump finesse and get the extra 
trick that East saves by refusing to play King of trumps 
at trick 3. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



157 



ASSUMING ONE ADVERSARY HAS FOUR TRUMPS 



The score is love all on rubber game. 

* 85 

V 8 3 
*K982 

♦ K 10 7 6 2 



A 3 2 
¥ A J9 5 
*QJ3 
♦ J 9 5 4 



South deals 




GROUP X 

No. 51 



A K974 
VKQ10642 
*765 
♦ — — 



A A Q J 10 6 

V7 

* A 10 4 

♦ AQ83 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 


one spade 

two spades 

no 


no 

three hearts 

no 


no 
three spades 


two hearts 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


AV 


3¥ 


2V 


7V 


2 


JV 


8V 


4V 


64 


3 


24 


54 


4 4 


Q4 


4 


34 


84 


74 


A4 


5 


44 


• 24 


94 


A* 


6 


9¥ 


24 


K4 


10 4 


7 


5V 


8* 


K* 


J4 


8 


54 


64 


6V 


Q4 



North and South win four odd tricks 



158 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 52 

Trick 2. — South with dummy can win all of West's 
trumps (East of course has none) and if West has an- 
other heart can just go game, assuming latter has Ace 
of diamonds; or if West has another heart he can still 
go game by ruffing third round of diamonds in dummy, 
which would then be offset by West's making a trump 
trick; that is, he cannot both give dummy a ruff and then 
win all of West's trumps. 

Trick 3. — South therefore decides to allow West to 
make a trump trick by leading hearts, as he will then 
have two extra trumps instead of one after exhausting 
West's trumps. If West's heart lead was a singleton, 
South cannot go game unless he can induce him to trump 
without having to play one of his winning hearts, as other- 
wise he would have to lose a heart trick anyway. So 
South now leads a low heart through West. West con- 
cludes since declarant bid initially holding Ace and four 
small spades, he probably has both Ace and King of 
hearts, and knowing all his trumps can be captured con- 
cludes he had better make a trump while he can. 

Trick 4. — It makes no difference what West now leads. 

Remarks. — If declarant at trick 2, should lead trumps 
so as to capture all of West's trumps, he would win nine 
tricks instead of ten, and could justly maintain he ob- 
tained all the tricks possible in the hand. It is not un- 
usual, however, that one of the two lines of play possible 
will give the adversary a chance to make a mistake; and 
it is always advisable to so play thr.t an adversary can 
make a mistake, as he will frequently do so if given the 
opportunity. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



159 



INFERENCE. INDUCING ADVERSARY TO RUFF AN 
OTHERWISE LOSING TRICK 

N and S 0, E and W 20 on first game. South deals 



A KQ9 5 

V Q 7 6 3 

* Q 5 2 

♦ K7 



GROUP XI 

No. 52 



A J 10 4 3 
¥ 9 

* AK87 

♦ A J98 




A 

V J 10 5 2 

* 10 9 6 4 3 

♦ Q 10 4 3 



A A8762 
V AK84 

♦ 652 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one spade 
no 


one no-trump 
no 


two spades 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K* 


24 


64 


J* 


2 


9V 


3V 


2¥ 


K* 


3 


34 


6V 


5¥ 


4¥ 


4 


94 


*♦ 


44 


24 


5 


44 


K4 


94 


24 


6 


10 4 


Q4 


34 


64 


7 


J* 


54 


44 


A4 


8 


74 


QV 


10 ¥ 


8¥ 


9 


84 


7¥ 


JV 


av 



North and South win four odd tricks 



160 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 53 

Bidding. — As adverse score is 20, South would be 
justified in making a score-double, on the chance that the 
take-out by partner would be one of his four-card suits. 
North would have passed if opponents had been at a love 
score. 

Trick 2. — As East bid no-trumps, he should have King 
of hearts, King Queen of clubs, and Ace Jack of dia- 
monds, so that West has no re-entry. South reasons that if 
he now opens a suit, East on winning will continue spades 
and he will then have to lead up to East again. So South 
leads a low spade on the chance East will be exhausted 
on the third round. 

Trick 4. — South now leads a club and finesses Jack in 
dummy, as East on winning will lose a trick if he leads 
hearts or clubs, or else will have to help establish the 
diamond suit. 

Trick 5. — East is now in difficulty. The heart is per- 
haps his best lead on the chance of finding Queen with 
partner, although realizing it is highly probable declarant 
has both Ace and Queen of hearts as he holds nothing in 
clubs or diamonds. 

Trick 9. — It makes no difference what East now plays 
as he has to lead away from his King of clubs sooner or 
later. 

Remarks. — If East at trick 5 leads a diamond, South 
on winning establishes the club suit, being careful to 
play so that dummy's 6 of clubs will be a re-entry on 
fourth round of clubs, in order to enable dummy to make 
another diamond trick. Although East does not know 
that declarant holds the lone 10 of diamonds, even if he 
leads the Jack of diamonds at trick 5, the result is the 
same if South plays East for the 10 of hearts as well as 
the King. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



161 



INFERENCE. MAKING ONE ADVERSARY LEAD 



N and S 0, E and W 20 on first game. East deals 

*6 

V J 6 4 GROUP XI 

* A J 6 2 No. 53 

♦ KQ 8 7 3 


AKQ952 
¥875 
*95 
♦ 542 


N 

W E 

S 


A 10 8 7 
VK102 
*KQ8 
♦ A J9 6 




A A J43 

VAQ93 

* 10 7 4 3 

♦ 10 





Bound 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 
3 


oneno-trump 
no 
no 


no 

two 

no-trumps 


no 
no 


two 

diamonds 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


5* 


64k 


10 4k 


J4k 


2 


24k 


4V 


74k 


34k 


3 


94k 


3# 


84k 


A4k 


4 


5* 


J* 


Q* 


3* 


5 


7* 


J¥ 


2¥ 


3V 


6 


5¥ 


6V 


10 ¥ 


QV 


7 


8V 


24k 


KV 


AV 


8 


24 


7* 


6* 


9¥ 


9 


4* 


Q* 


A* 


10 4 


10 


5f 


*♦ 


J* 


44k 


11 


Q4k 


84 


94 


4* 


12 


9* 


6* 


8* 


10* 


13 


K4k 


A* 


K* 


7* 



North and South win three odd tricks 



162 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 54 

Trick 2. — At a love score, South's best chance for game 
is to lead trumps from dummy for the finesse, hoping to 
find the Queen with East as adversaries must make their 
three Aces anyway. If adverse clubs are not evenly dis- 
tributed, the suit will not establish in one round if led by 
South, so if the heart finesse loses, he realizes he will be 
forced by adverse diamonds and is then not likely to make 
the three odd required to go game; nor is a trump lead 
likely to produce three odd if one adversary has four 
trumps. He therefore decides to first establish the club 
suit, and to allow both Ace and Queen of hearts to make, 
as he and dummy have all the hearts above the 7 except 
Ace Queen. It may also be an advantage to lead the 
singleton club from dummy in case Ace of clubs is with 
East. 

Trick 4. — South notes that West now either has one 
more or no more clubs, unless false-carding. 

Trick 5. — West cannot locate Queen of clubs, but sees 
no reason for trumping low nor high. South continues 
to discard dummy's diamonds to save being forced in 
his own hand. 

Remarks. — East's best lead at trick 3 is perhaps the 
trump to try to defeat a possible cross-ruff, but as the 
cards lie it makes no difference. South's hand is a 
freak. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



163 



INFERENCE. PLAY INFLUENCED BY THE SCORE 



N and S 8, E and W on first game. 

AK9752 

V 10 8 2 

*6 

♦ A942 



AAJ3 
¥ AQ6 
* 94 
♦KQJ63 



South deals 



GROUP XI 

No. 54 




A Q 10 8 
V74 

* A 10 8 2 

♦ 10 8 7 5 



A 64 
VKJ9 53 

*KQ J753 

♦ 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 


one heart 

three clubs 

no 


oneno-trump 

three 

diamonds 

no 


two hearts 
three hearts 


no 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K4 


A4 


74 


44 


2 


4* 


6* 


A* 


3* 


3 


34 


24 


10 4 


3¥ 


4 


9* 


44 


2* 


K* 


5 


3* 


94 


8* 


J* 


6 


J4 


2^ 


10 4 


Q4 


7 


Q¥ 


2V 


4¥ 


5¥ 


8 


A* 


8V 


7V 


9¥ 


9 


A* 


54 


84 


64 


10 


Q4 


74 


84 


JV 


11 


6V 


10 V 


54 


K* 


12 


6* 


94 


10 4 


7 + 


13 


J4 


K4 


Q4 


54 



North and South win three odd tricks 



164 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 55 

Trick 1. — If the diamond finesse wins and South can 
discard his losing spade on third round of diamonds, he 
will then have a chance for game by losing two trump 
tricks and one club trick. 

Trick 7. — South now tries the club finesse in dummy. 
He does not first lead King of trumps as East is marked 
as having held three spades and three diamonds, and so 
must have held length in either clubs or hearts. Hence, 
if the club finesse should lose, East might be able to ex- 
haust declarant's trumps (if latter should lead the King 
of hearts) enabling West to make the balance of the 
spade suit. 

Trick 8. — As East, unless holding up the King of clubs, 
can only have two more clubs, unless his play of the 6 
of clubs was a false card, he must have the three remain- 
ing adverse trumps. Hence he is now marked with the 
8 and 10 of clubs, Queen 10 9 of hearts and one spade. 
South therefore leads a spade from dummy, to ruff, as he 
can then lead the King of trumps, following with the 
losing trump, and compel East to lead a club so that 
adversaries cannot make a club trick. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



165 



COUNTING. THROWING THE LEAD 



The score is love all. South deals 

A 963 
V 76 3 

* AQ9 

♦ A Q 10 4 



GEOUP XI 
No. 55 



4QJ754 
¥ A 

*K42 
♦ K732 




*K82 
¥ Q 10 9 5 

* 10 8 6 

♦ 965 



A A 10 
VKJ842 

* J75 3 

♦ J8 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one heart 
no 


one spade 
no 


two hearts 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


54> 


34 


K4» 


A4» 


2 


24 


4f 


54 


Jf 


3 


34 


10 ♦ 


64 


8f 


4 


?♦ 


A^ 


94 


10 A 


5 


AV 


3V 


5V 


J¥ 


6 


Q4* 


6* 


24. 


2¥ 


7 


24* 


Q* 


6* 


34. 


8 


44» 


94» 


84* 


4V 


9 


T* 


6V 


9¥ 


KV 


10 


J* 


7V 


10 V 


8* 


11 


K* 


A* 


8* 


54. 


12 


4* 


9* 


10 4* 


J4. 


13 


*♦ 


Q4 


QV 


7* 



North and South make four odd 



166 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 56 

Trick 1. — South notes he has ten reasonably sure tricks. 

Trick 4. — Since dummy's 9 of diamonds is now a re- 
entry, South decides to lead three rounds of spades on 
the chance of establishing a thirteenth spade in dummy. 

Trick 6. — South of course leads the third round of 
spades, as it can do no harm, and East may be false-card- 
ing. 

Trick 9. — As West discarded the 8 of hearts, he can 
now only hold in hearts, the 10 or King, or both, but East 
must have the King to justify an initial two-heart bid, as 
he could not have a possible trick in any other suit. Lat- 
ter should also have held seven in the suit, which infer- 
ence is confirmed by West's discard of the 8. Hence 
East's cards are all hearts, and he can have no club to 
lead. So South holds up his Ace of hearts in order to 
make the 9 also, as the 10 of hearts should fall from 
West's hand. East, however, should not have covered 
dummy's Jack of hearts, as South unless he plays Ace, 
cannot get the lead and West's clubs will then make. 

Remarks. — West should have discarded 3 of clubs at 
trick 8; his discard of the heart is bad. It, however, does 
not cost a trick provided East plays correctly at trick 9. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



167 



COUNTING 



The score is love all. East deals 



* 10 8 5 
¥ 10 8 

* K Q J 10 3 

* 873 




GROUP XI 

No. 56 



A J96 

VKQ76542 
*2 

♦ 10 6 



A AKQ 

V A 9 3 

*A 5 

♦ A K Q J 4 



Round 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 


two hearts 
no 


two 
no-trumps 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


KA 


4A 


2A 


AA 


2 


34 


24 


64 


*♦ 


3 


74 


54 


10 4 


Q4 


4 


5A 


2A 


6A 


AA 


5 


8* 


3A 


J* 


KA 


6 


10 A 


4A 


9A 


Q A 


7 


84 


9* 


2V 


4* 


8 


8V 


7A 


4V 


5A 


9 


10 ¥ 


J¥ 


Q¥ 


3V 


10 


3* 


6* 


5¥ 


9¥ 


11 


10 A 


7A 


6¥ 


AV 


12 


J A 


8A 


7¥ 


A* 


13 


QA 


9A 


KV 


*♦ 



North and South make a small slam 



168 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 57 

Trick 1. — As South has two losing diamonds, going 
game probably depends on either the heart or the club 
finesse winning. South notes that West has obviously 
opened a short suit and since he would not be apt to open 
from 10 and two small, East presumably held at least 
six spades to the Queen Jack. 

Trick 2. — South leads the heart from dummy and finds 
that West only held one heart, and so East holds the 
King 8 7. 

Trick 3. — South now tries the club finesse. 

Trick 4. — It now looks like a small slam, as a trump 
lead through East, then the club finesse again, and a 
third trump through East would enable South to exhaust 
trumps and make the club suit, obtaining two discards. 
But if he stops to count East's hand, he will realize he 
may trump the second round of clubs, which with two 
diamond tricks and a second club ruff, prevents his going 
game. East, unless false-carding, or holding up, can 
have only one more club anyway (the 9) and held to a 
reasonable certainty six spades, four hearts, one club, 
and must hold at least one diamond, as otherwise West, 
having eight diamonds including Ace King, would both 
have bid and opened the suit. In fact, West with seven 
diamonds, including Ace or King and the King of clubs, 
would have bid probably. Hence, the chances favor East 
holding two diamonds and no clubs. Although it is pos- 
sible he only held five spades originally, even in that 
case, the distribution of 5-4-3-1 for the East and West 
hands, occurs oftener than the distributions of 5-4-2-2 
and 6-3-3-1 for the East and West hands respectively. 
It being improbable that East has another club, South 
therefore does not risk loss of rubber game by trying for 
small slam, and so makes sure of game by leading a spade 
from dummy. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



169 



COUNTING 



The score is love all on rubber game. South deals 

y 5 3 2 GROUP XI 

* A Q J 10 5 No. 57 

♦ J95 



A 10 2 

V 10 

* K 9 4 2 

♦ K7643 2 




AQJ8754 
VK874 
*6 
♦ A 10 



*A96 
V AQ J96 

* 873 

♦ Q8 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one heart 
no 


no 
no 


two hearts 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10 4 


K* 


7* 


64 


2 


10 V 


2V 


4V 


J¥ 


3 


2* 


10* 


6* 


3* 


4 


2A 


3* 


J* 


A4 


5 


64 


3V 


4 4 


94 


6 


24 


5V 


7V 


9¥ 


7 


34 


5* 


8¥ 


AV 


8 


4* 


J* 


KV 


7* 


9 


4* 


54 


A4 


84 


10 


*♦ 


9* 


10 ♦ 


Q4 


11 


7* 


J4 


54 


8* 


12 


9* 


"Q4" 


84 


6V 


13 


K* 


A* 


Q4 


QJt 



North and South win four odd tricks 



170 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 58 

Trick 1. — South plays King of spades from dummy so 
that East cannot locate the Ace. He also notes that East 
held five spades and that he can probably make a small 
slam if East has Ace of clubs. 

Trick 2. — South does not like the fall of the 9 of dia- 
monds as East, unless false-carding, is either out or has 
Jack alone left, but if out South can make all his dia- 
monds by finessing Queen 7 in dummy. Hence he shifts 
to the heart suit on the chance of finding out the location 
of the diamond suit later on. 

Trick 5. — South leads 9 of hearts so that dummy will 
have the lead, after hearts are exhausted, in case he 
wishes to lead a club. 

Trick 7. — As West opened a four-card suit he can hard- 
ly hold five clubs, and East having held five spades, two 
hearts, and at least one diamond, cannot have more than 
three clubs left; so South decides to try for small slam 
on the chance East has Ace of clubs as game is assured 
in any event. 

Trick 8. — West plays Queen of spades so as not to 
block partner's spades. 

Trick 9. — The fall of clubs at trick 7 showed that West 
has only one more club, and hence held four diamonds 
originally. 

Remarks. — While South was fortunate to have West's 
holding in clubs such that he could locate the suit, yet 
he had nothing to lose by postponing the play of the 
diamond suit and might gain. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



171 



COUNTING 



The score is love all. South deals 



* K3 

V A Q 8 2 

*9852 

♦ Q73 



GBOUP XI 

No. 58 



♦ Q10-82 
V J75 

♦ J654 




*J9764 
V 10 4 

* A 10 T 6 3 

♦ 9 



A A 5 
V K96 3 

A K4 

♦ A K 10 8 2 



Round 


Dealer 


AVest 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 
no 


no 
no 


two 

no-trumps 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


24 


K4 


94 


54 


2 


44 


34 


94 


K4 


3 


5V 


Q¥ 


4V 


3V 


4 


7V 


2V 


10 V 


KV 


5 


JV 


AV 


34 


9¥ 


6 


84 


8¥ 


64 


6¥ 


7 


J* 


24 


A* 


44 


8 


Q* 


34 


74 


A4 


9 


54 


74 


44 


24 


10 


64 


Q4 


64 


84 


11 


Q* 


54 


74 


K* 


12 


J* 


84 


J4 


At 


13 


10 4 


94 


10 4 


10 ♦ 



North and South make a small slam 



172 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 59 

Bidding. — South should double West's three-heart bid, 
and West should have bid three diamonds after two no- 
trumps (score being 10) but East would then have to 
bid three hearts. 

Trick 1. — South plays dummy's Jack to try the spade 
finesse, as it is no use to establish clubs and he does not 
want East to be in the lead. He notes that West held 
six hearts, both from the fall of cards and the bidding. 

Trick 2. — South does not know whether to finesse 
Queen or 10; it is a guess and either play may cost a 
trick, but as he cannot be sure of getting dummy in the 
lead again, the Queen is his best chance. 

Trick 3. — South now tries the diamond suit and finds 
that East only held one diamond. Hence West is marked 
with five diamonds originally to the King 9, besides his 
six hearts, and as he only held one spade, can only have 
one club which is either Ace or King, partly because such 
card would explain his bidding as high as three hearts 
and also because East, with five clubs to the Ace King 
and five spades to the King, would have bid. 

Trick 5. — South now leads a club to throw West in the 
lead, as if his singleton club is the King, East will not 
overtake in order to lead a heart as so doing establishes 
three club tricks in dummy. 

Trick 8. — South leads Ace of hearts so as not to have 
to lead diamonds twice. 

Trick 9. — South now leads a low diamond, so as to 
make both Ace and 10. 

Remarks. — If West discards another diamond at trick 
7, South of course leads a diamond at trick 8. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



173 



COUNTING 



N and S 0, E and W 10 on rubber game. South deals 



V K97632 
* A 

♦ K975 3 




GROUP XI 
No. 59 



A K8642 

¥85 

*KT653 

♦ J 



* AQ 10 

V AQ 10 
*Q 10 

♦ A 10 8 4 2 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 

3 


one no-trump 

two 

no-trumps 

three 
no-trumps 


two hearts 
three hearts 

no 


no 
no 

no 


no 
no 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


6V 


JV 


5¥ 


10 ¥ 


2 


J* 


34k 


24k 


Q4k 


3 


3# 


Q4 


J* 


24 


4 


54 


54k 


44k 


10 4k 


5 


A* 


2* 


34k 


Q4* 


6 


3¥ 


4¥ 


8V 


QV 


7 


2¥ 


7* 


64k 


AA 


8 


7V 


4* 


' 54k 


AV 


9 


7 4 


64 


64k 


44 


10 


Ky 


94k 


74k 


10 4k 


11 


9¥ 


84k 


84k 


8* 


12 


94 


94k 


K4k 


10 4 


13 


*♦ 


J4k 


K* 


A4 



North and South win three odd tricks 



174 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 60 

Trick 2. — As South cannot lead the spade suit to ad- 
vantage, he decides to put dummy in for a heart lead 
and finesse, especially as he prefers West to have the 
lead at trick 4 rather than East, since the former is less 
likely to start the club suit. 

Trick 3. — As it is no use to lead Jack of hearts from 
dummy as East will cover if he has an honor and thus 
spoil South's potential tenace, South's best chance is to 
lead a low heart and finesse with the 8, hoping to find the 
9 with East and the honors divided. He notes also that 
East should have the 10 of diamonds. If so, since West 
cannot hold any other long suit as it would have to be 
better than 7 spot high and so would have been opened 
originally, he holds a "four by three" hand, and East 
therefore held originally four clubs and three each of 
the other suits. 

Trick 4. — West does not know whether to lead a spade 
or a club, and rather than guess prefers to throw declar- 
ant in the lead. South discards dummy's Jack of hearts 
so as not to block his tenace. 

Tricks 6 and 7. — As East has discarded a club, ad- 
versaries can now make only two club tricks, and as South 
cannot locate Ace of spades, or if Queen is led and Ace 
held up, it might prevent dummy being able to get in 
for another heart lead, South leads two rounds of clubs, 
hoping East will win third round. 

Remarks. — East cannot save game by discarding a 
spade at trick 5 as South then leads Queen of spades at 
trick 6. The hand illustrates how the distribution of all 
the suits can sometimes be obtained very early in the 
hand ; in this case, after only two cricks have been played, 
only one suit led, and no bidding to aid declarant. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



175 





COUNTING 


r 




The score is love all. 


South deals 




A K862 

VJ42 




GROUP XI 




* 875 3 

♦ A 4 




No. 60 


A J 10 3 

¥ K76 


N 




A A74 
VQ95 


* J94 

♦ 7632 


W 

S 


£ 


* K Q 6 2 

♦ Q 10 9 




AQ95 
V A 10 8 3 








* A 10 

♦ K J85 







Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


2# 


44 


Q* 


K^ 


2 


34 


A* 


94 


54 


3 


K* 


2V 


5V 


8V 


4 


64 


JV 


10 4 


*♦ 


5 


74 


3* 


2* 


84 


6 


4* 


5* 


6* 


A* 


7 


9* 


7* 


Q* 


10* 


8 


J* 


8* 


K* 


54k 


9 


6V 


4¥ 


9¥ 


10 V 


10 


7V 


2A 


Q¥ 


A* 


11 


3* 


64 


44k 


3V 


12 


10 A 


84k 


A* 


Q'4k 


13 


** 


K* 


74» 


94k 



North and South win three odd tricks 



176 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 61 

Bidding. — North has not enough strength for a two 
no-trump bid, but the bid is not likely to cost more than 
fifty and might gain by preventing East's indicating a 
lead, especially as making contract means winning the 
rubber. 

Trick 2. — South can locate the club suit. 

Trick 3. — East's lead of diamonds looks like a top of 
nothing lead and that his long suit is hearts. Hence 
South does not finesse Queen and does not wish to give 
up command. 

Trick 4. — West now tries the spade suit, but his best 
lead is the singleton heart. 

Trick 7. — West is now marked with the King Jack of 
diamonds, probably, three clubs to the 10, and his remain- 
ing card is either a heart or diamond. 

Trick 8. — South now leads dummy's Ace of hearts so 
that West on winning the diamond trick, will have to lead 
the club suit in which South holds the major tenace. 

Trick 9. — South plays Ace of diamonds, as otherwise 
West on winning would return the diamond, while West 
plays his King to avoid leading clubs, although as East 
does not have Queen of diamonds, it makes no difference. 

Remarks. — West should have opened with the 8 of 
clubs instead of the 4 to indicate a long weak suit, and 
East would then have led a diamond at trick 2, thus sav- 
ing game. West, however, can save a trick by leading 
his singleton heart at trick 4. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



177 



COUNTING 



N and S 10, E and W on rubber game. 

* J932 
V AQ92 

*Q6 

♦ 965 



South deals 

GROUP XJ 

No. 61 



AQ854 
V4 

* 10 8 7 4 2 

♦ K J 10 




A 10 6 

V X J 10 7 6 5 

* A K 

♦ 742 



* AK7 
V 83 

* J 9 5 3 

* AQ83 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 
no 


no 

no 


two 
no-trumps 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4* 


6* 


K«s; 


3* 


2 


2* 


Q* 


A* 


5* 


3 


10 ♦ 


54 


?♦ 


34 


4 


4A 


24 


10 A 


K4» 


5 


5 4 


34» 


6* 


A4» 


6 


QA 


94 


7V 


74» 


7 


8* 


J4» 


5V 


3V 


8 


4V 


A* 


6V 


8V 


9 


*♦ 


64 


44 


A* 


10 


J4 


94 


24 


Q4 


11 


7* 


2* 


10 V 


84 


12 


8* 


9V 


J¥ 


J* 


13 


10* 


QV 


KV 


94k 



North and South win two odd tricks 



178 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 62 

Trick 1. — South can count two club tricks, seven trump 
tricks and the Ace of diamonds, and hence feels sure of 
game. 

Trick 3. — South now leads a diamond from dummy to 
try the finesse, as if it wins, dummy can ruff the third 
round and thus make a big slam if adverse diamonds are 
evenly distributed. 

Tricks 5, 6 and 7. — South knowing his hand is a 
freak and adversary may well hold a singleton or suit 
of two cards at any rate, and since the distributions of 
a suit that occur in the majority of hands are not as 
probable in freak hands, he concludes the chances are 
against both adversaries having exactly three diamonds. 
As dummy cannot ruff high enough to win the third round 
of diamonds, South decides to exhaust trumps. 

Tricks 8 and 9. — South continues two more rounds of 
trumps, hoping to get diamond discards. 

Remarks. — If South leads Ace of diamonds at trick 5, 
intending to make a little slam, he cannot then even go 
game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



179 



FREAKS 



The score is love all on rubber game. South deals 



A 64 

VKJ984 

*AK95 
♦ 63 



GROUP XII 

No. 62 



A 8 

V 6 3 

* Q J 10 4 2 

♦ K J985 




A 10 9 7 
V AQ 10 

♦ 8763 

♦ 2 



52 





♦ A Q 10 7 4 






Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


four spades 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


QA 


K* 


6A 


7V 


2 


4* 


AA 


7A 


44 


3 


*♦ 


3* 


24 


Q4 


4 


J* 


5 A 


8A 


2A 


5 


8A 


4A 


7A 


AA 


6 


2 A 


6A 


9A 


KA 


7 


54 


64 


10 A 


QA 


8 


3V 


4V 


5V 


JA 


9 


6¥ 


8V 


2V 


5A 


10 


84 


9A 


10 ¥ 


A4 


11 


9* 


9V 


3A 


7 4 


12 


J> 


JV 


Q¥ 


10 4 


13 


10 A 


Ky 


A* 


3A 



North and South win four odd tricks 



180 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 63 

Bidding. — North's hand suggests a preemptive declara- 
tion, but as he may want to show the diamond suit and 
also has some spade assistance, he should bid one heart, 
especially as his hearts are not in sequence. 

Trick 2. — South cannot give dummy a club ruff to 
advantage before leading trumps, as he cannot then get 
in to exhaust trumps. He can count a small slam if both 
the adverse diamonds and trumps are evenly distributed, 
but realizes it is improbable since dummy's hand is a 
freak, nor is it likely the opening lead was from a three- 
card suit. 

Trick 6. — South cannot afford to lead King of dia- 
monds on the chance the suit is established and so make 
five odd, as if West is out of diamonds, he will fail to 
go game. In other words, as the odds are against the 
two missing diamonds dropping on the third round, South 
takes no chances and so leads a low diamond from dummy 
and ruffs it, thus establishing the suit. 

Trick 7. — South now leads his losing trump so that 
dummy can make his last two diamonds. He cannot, of 
course, lead Ace of clubs until the adverse winning trump 
is played, but is reasonably certain of making his Ace of 
clubs sooner or later. 

Remarks. — Although West at trick 1 does not like to 
lead a short suit with four trumps, it is probably a better 
opening than the four-card minor tenace club suit. While 
declarant can get the same result by ruffing one club in 
dummy and then obtaining a heart discard on third round 
of diamonds, such play risks a ruff by the adversary that 
has three or less trumps, besides giving up the chance 
for eleven or twelve tricks. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



181 



FBEAKS 



The score is love all. North deals 



*K4 

V A J873 2 

* 



4 J 10 5 2 
V Q 64 

*KJ65 
♦ J5 



♦ KQ962 






N 




W 


S 


£ 



GROUP XII 
No. 63 



A 96 
V K10 

* Q 10 9 4 3 

♦ 10 8 7 3 



* AQ873 
V95 
*A872 
♦ A4 



Round 


Dealer 


East 


South 


West 


1 
2 


one heart 
no 


no 
no 


one spade 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


*♦ 


24 


34 


Af 


2 


24 


K* 


64 


3 4» 


3 


54 


4* 


94» 


QA 


4 


10 4 


2¥ 


3* 


A4» 


5 


54 


Q* 


74 


*♦ 


6 


5* 


6* 


84 


74» 


7 


J* 


3V 


10 ♦ 


84k 


8 


6* 


7¥ 


Q* 


A* 


9 


4V 


Ay 


10 V 


5V 



North and South win four odd tricks 



182 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 64 

Trick 1. — South notes that by not leading clubs until 
adverse trumps are exhausted and simply allowing Queen 
of clubs to make, he is sure of contract. He also notes 
that East is either out or has one more diamond. 

Trick 3. — South sees a chance for five odd by not 
finessing the club and ruffing third round of clubs pro- 
vided the Queen falls, or by finessing and then ruffing the 
third round. The adverse clubs are presumably either 
three in one hand and four in the other or else two in one 
hand and five in the other. As the hand is a freak, the 
latter distribution would seem to be about as probable; 
that is, it is possible on third round of clubs for the ad- 
verse 7 or 9 of trumps to make, followed by the lead of 
the Ace of trumps, with the other adversary making Queen 
of clubs eventually. Hence South, of course, does not 
risk loss of contract doubled for the sake of an extra 
trick, and so leads the trump, especially as there is still 
a chance for five odd later, if the Ace 10 finesse in dummy 
should win. 

Remarks. — If dummy had held a small club instead of 
the 10, it would be difficult to decide how to play the 
hand. West at trick 2 is marked with four diamonds, 
four spades (as would have led the top of the suit with 
less) and, of course, the Ace of hearts by the bidding, 
and so cannot hold five clubs. Hence if the adverse clubs 
are five two, it must be East who has the five clubs; and 
so if one prefers to assume this distribution rather than 
the four three distribution because the hand is a freak, 
then the best chance for contract is to first exhaust 
trumps and play East for the Queen of clubs. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



183 



FREAKS 



The score is love all. West deals 

AQ763 
V4 

* A 10 

♦ 10 9 8 5 4 2 



A A 10 9 2 
V A9 5 

* 8 4 

♦ AKJ6 



GROUP XII 

No. 64 




AKJ854 
V 7 

*Q9762 
♦ 73 



VKQJ10 8632 
*KJ53 

♦ Q 



Round 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 
3 


oneno-trump 

three spades 

double 


no 
no 
no 


two spades 
no 
no 


three hearts 

four hearts 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K4 


2* 


74 


Q4 


2 


2 A 


3* 


J* 


2V 


3 


5V 


4V 


7¥ 


10 V 


4 


AV 


44 


34 


K* 


5 


10 A 


6* 


44 


3V 


6 


9¥ 


5* 


54 


Q¥ 


7 


4* 


10 4* 


Q* 


3* 



North and South make contract doubled 



184 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 65 

Trick 1. — South reasons if he does not finesse the spade, 
he will have to lose one club and two diamond tricks, and 
to go game would have to find Ace of clubs on his left and 
not lose a trump trick. Hence his best chance is to play- 
West for the Queen of spades, as his lead is probably 
from a four-card suit rather than a singleton. 

Trick 2. — South now leads a trump from dummy and 
should recognize that the hand probably belongs in Group 
VI as he should refuse to finesse, since if the finesse loses, 
the adversaries can then make two diamond tricks and 
the Ace of clubs, if not two club tricks, thus saving game. 
If the Queen of hearts does not fall in two rounds, South 
can lead a spade and get two club discards and so will 
then have a chance for game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



185 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all. South deals 



AAKJ10 

V 843 
*K105 
♦ Q J 10 



GROUP Y 

No. 65 



A Q9 53 

¥ Q 2 

* 86 3 2 

♦ A9 3 




A 874 
V 976 

* A Q J9 

♦ K8 2 



A 62 

V A K J 10 5 

*74 

♦ 7654 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one heart 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


3A 


10 A 


4A 


2A 


2 


2¥ 


3V 


6¥ 


KV 


3 


QV 


4V 


7* 


AV 


4 


5* 


8V 


9¥ 


JV 


5 


9A 


JA 


7A 


6A 


6 


Q* 


AA 


8A 


4* 


7 


2* 


K* 


9* 


7* 


8 


Af 


Q4 


24 


44 


9 


8* 


5* 


J* 


5¥ 


10 


3f 


10 4 


*♦ 


54 


11 


94 


J4 


84 


64 


12 


3* 


10* 


Q* 


10 ¥ 


13 


6* 


K* 


A* 


74 



North and South make five odd 



186 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 66 

Trick 2. — South notes he can go game if he can make 
two spade tricks and that he can compel adversaries to 
lead spades by exhausting trumps, ruffing two clubs, and 
then losing the lead on second round of diamonds. He 
therefore places the hand in Group 1 and returns the club 
first so as to establish the ruffs in his hand. 

Trick 6. — West discards another diamond to conceal 
his spade weakness. 

Trick 9. — West reasons declarant cannot have Queen 
of diamonds as he would then have had dummy lead the 
suit. He therefore plays King so that partner will not 
have to lead spades. 

Trick 10. — West now leads a spade and South expects 
to make two tricks in the suit. 

Tricks 11 and 12. — As East held Ace Jack 9 of spades, 
South does not make the two spade tricks he would have 
made if East had been in the lead at trick 10, or if West 
had held either Ace, Jack or 9 or any two or all of said 
cards. 

Remarks. — South's play of the hand would ordinarily 
result in game and while he can go game by playing dum- 
my's King of spades at trick 10, he does not know that 
East holds Jack and 9 as well as the Ace. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



187 



The 


UNDESIGNATED DEAL 

score is love all. South deals 

AK104 

VQ982 GROUP Y 

* 8 7 5 3 No. 66 

♦ J2 


4 6 5 2 
¥5 

* Q J 10 9 

♦ K98 6 3 




N 
W 

S 


E 




*AJ9T 
¥ 10 3 
*K42 
♦ Q 10 7 4 






* Q83 

V AK J764 

* A 6 

* A5 







Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one heart 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q* 


3* 


24* 


A* 


2 


9* 


54k 


4 4» 


64> 


3 


5¥ 


8¥ 


10 ¥ 


J¥ 


4 


64 


9¥ 


3¥ 


4¥ 


5 


10 4 


7* 


K# 


6¥ 


6 


3* 


Q¥ 


44) 


7¥ 


7 


J* 


~8* 


74 


K¥ 


8 


84 


24> 


10 ♦ 


A* 


9 


*♦ 


J4> 


Q4 


54> 


10 


6 4k 


44k 


94k 


Q4k 


11 


54k 


K4k 


A4k 


34k 


12 


24k 


10 4k 


J4k 


84k 


13 


94 


2¥ 


74k 


A¥ 



North and South win three odd tricks 



188 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 67 

Bidding. — As the score was 6, South reasoned he was 
strong enough to go game at spades and might make a 
larger score, although having a probable sure game at 
diamonds. 

Trick 3.— West does not wait for the Queen 10 finesse 
in clubs as he knows partner either can ruff the third 
round or else has the Jack. 

Trick 4.— South refuses the force as dummy can ruff 
the next round if led, and if one adversary should have 
four trumps, he cannot then make the diamond suit. The 
hand is easy to place in Group X ; in fact, declarant should 
recognize at trick 1 that he has got to avoid a force. 

Remarks. — If South ruffs at trick 4, he loses two or 
three tricks, depending on declarant's subsequent play. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



189 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



N and S 6, E and W on first game. West deals 



A A873 
V Q 6 5 

* K Q 10 4 

♦ 93 




GBOUP Y 

No. 67 



A 95 

¥ K 10 9 3 
•?• J S 6 5 
♦ J 10 





+ AKQ6 5 2 




Round 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 


no 
no 


no 
no 


no 
no 


one spade 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K* 


3* 


6* 


A* 


2 


A* 


24k 


5A 


K* 


3 


Q* 


7* 


8* 


2* 


4 


4* 


9* 


J* 


2f 


5 


34 


44 


J* 


Q* 


6 


34 


4* 


94 


QA 


7 


7A 


6* 


3¥ 


J* 


8 


8* 


74 


2V 


10 * 


9 


9* 


8* 


10 4 


A4 



North and South win four odd tricks 



190 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 68 

Trick 1. — South's first thought is to hold up dummy's 
Ace until the second round so that if East is later in the 
lead, he will not have a diamond to lead; but concludes 
West as he bid the suit probably has six diamonds, so 
that East has the lone King. 

Trick 2. — South reasons he has a chance for game if he 
can find the King of spades on his right and if the heart 
finesse in dummy will win, as in that event he can get 
two discards. He concludes the finesse is necessary and 
so places the hand in Group IV. 

Trick 5. — South now sees he can just make contract 
by not finessing the heart suit, while if he takes the finesse 
and it loses, he expects to be set one trick. He, of course, 
should try for game and therefore leads the 10 of hearts, 
playing dummy's Jack so if the finesse wins dummy can 
lead another trump, as the play of Jack will save a trick 
if East holds only three hearts. 

Trick 10. — West now leads a diamond, although both 
opponents have none of the suit and can rufL but he 
can count the hand and saves a trick as declarant cannot 
now prevent East making his Jack of trumps. 

Remarks. — South thus loses two tricks by a sound 
finesse. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



191 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all. South deals 



4k3 
V 874 

* KQ3 

♦ Q J 10 6 4 2 




GBOUP Y 

No. 68 



AKJ74 
VQ652 

* J 10 8 4 

♦ K 



4k Q 10 9 6 2 
¥10 3 

* A72 

♦ 975 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 


no 
no 

two spades 


no 

two 

diamonds 

no 


oneno-trump 

two hearts 

no 


no 
no 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q* 


A«> 


*♦ 


5* 


2 


3* 


A* 


44 


2 4k 


3 


24 


8* 


K* 


64» 


4 


3* 


5* 


J* 


A* 


5 


4* 


JV 


QV 


10 V 


6 


Q* 


6* 


4* 


24k 


7 


*♦ 


3* 


2V 


74> 


8 


10 4 


84 


5V 


94> 


9 


K* 


9* 


8* 


74k 


10 


64 


5* 


6V 


94k 


11 


7V 


9¥ 


74k 


3V 


12 


8V 


K¥ 


10* 


10 4k 


13 


44 


AV 


J* 


Q4k 



North and South are set two tricks 



192 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 69 

Trick 1. — If the diamond finesse loses, East will prob- 
ably start the heart suit which South has only once 
stopped, and as one adversary has Ace of clubs, declarant 
is likely to be set. South by playing Ace of diamonds 
in dummy is reasonably assured of taking four club tricks, 
two or three spade tricks, and either a second diamond 
trick or one heart trick. 

Trick 8. — South leads Ace of spades, as East's discard 
and West's, tend to indicate the Queen is with West, in- 
tending to follow with the Jack in the hope of dropping 
10 of spades from East's hand. 

Remarks. — As the cards lie, South cannot go game, 
although he saves one trick by not finessing the diamond. 
While (if either adversary starts the heart suit) game 
apparently depends on either the diamond or the spade 
finesse winning and both finesses are an even chance, 
playing to make three spade tricks is preferable since 
the left-hand adversary is less likely to start the heart 
suit, and also because the spade finesse is postponed until 
more information is obtained. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



193 



The 


UNDESIGNATED DEAL 

score is love all. South deals 

AK983 

V J 8 7 GROUP Y 

* K 10 3 No. 69 

♦ AQ10 


A Q 10 5 
V 10 5 3 
* A 5 
♦ J9642 




N 
W 

S 


E 


*642 
¥ AQ962 
*764 
♦ K7 




1 

< 


4» A J7 
t K4 

*Q J982 
► 853 







Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 
no 


no 
no 


two 
no-trumps 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4f 


A* 


74 


5¥ 


2 


A* 


K* 


44* 


24* 


3 


10 ¥ 


7¥ 


6¥ 


K¥ 


4 


5* 


3* 


64* 


Q4> 


5 


5¥ 


10* 


74* 


J4* 


6 


24 


8¥ 


2¥ 


94* 


7 


64 


J¥ 


24* 


84* 


8 


5 4» 


3* 


44k 


A4. 


9 


Q4» 


K* 


64* 


J4* 


10 


10 A 


84. 


A¥ 


74* 


11 


3¥ 


94* 


Q¥ 


4¥ 


12 


94- 


10 4 


9¥ 


3* 


13 


J4 


Q* 


K* 


8* 



North and South make contract only 



194 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 70 

Bidding. — West could have bid two hearts and if so 
he would have saved game, as South would have bid two 
no-trumps and West would then open the club suit. 

Trick 1. — South sees it is no use to establish the dia- 
mond suit as dummy has no re-entry, but if the Jack of 
hearts will win, he can try the spade finesse twice and 
thus might make game. 

Trick 3. — South leads 3 of diamonds as he merely 
wishes to get dummy in for another spade lead, or if the 
Jack is led he must play Queen from dummy unless West 
plays Ace. 

Trick 6. — South now leads Queen of hearts to estab- 
lish his 10. 

Remarks. — Declarant should be able at trick 1 or trick 
3 to place the hand in Group III, it being a case of double 
entry. At trick 5, he should have led the diamond on 
the chance the adverse Ace might be held up again. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



195 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all. South deals 

A7653 

V J4 

* 3 

♦ KQ8642 



GEOUP T 

No. 70 



4>9 

V K9765 

♦Q7654 
♦ A 5 




*KJ84 
V 82 

* J 10 9 2 

♦ 10 9 7 



A A Q 10 2 
V A Q 10 3 

* AK8 

♦ J3 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


6V 


J¥ 


2V 


3V 


2 


94 


3* 


44 


10 4 


3 


54 


Q* 


74 


34 


4 


5* 


54 


84 


Q4 


5 


5V 


4V 


8V 


AV 


6 


KV 


64 


94 


QV 


7 


7V 


24 


10 4 


10 ¥ 



North and South win three odd tricks 



196 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 71 

Trick 1. — South notes that the only tricks he can lose, 
probably, are one spade, one diamond, and one club, if 
he leads the diamond suit. Though he has eight clubs 
and only six diamonds in the two hands and establishing 
clubs may avoid the diamond finesse, if clubs are led the 
adversaries must make one club trick and may make two, 
depending on the location of the King Queen and 9 and 
how the suit is played. 

It is possible, too, if West has the Ace of spades, he 
might lead the diamond suit before clubs are established 
and hence make necessary trying the diamond finesse, 
anyway. To sum up: playing for the club suit should 
produce ten or eleven tricks, and £or the diamond suit 
ten, eleven or twelve tricks. 

Trick 2. — South therefore leads a diamond, postponing 
giving dummy the heart ruff as he may want to lead 
diamonds again from his own hand. 

Remarks. — As the hand involves a choice of suits, it 
belongs in Group VII. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



197 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all. South deals 

4432 

V 4 

* A 10 7 5 3 

♦ A Q J9 



GROUP Y 
No. 71 



A A 9 
V KQ J873 

* 94 
♦ K10 2 




* 10 5 
V 10 9 6 5 

*KQ6 

♦ 8654 



* KQ J876 

V A2 

* J82 

* 73 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 
3 


one spade 
no 
no 


two hearts 

three hearts 

no 


two spades 
three spades 


no 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K* 


4V 


6V 


A* 


2 


2f 


J* 


4* 


3* 


3 


A* 


2 A 


5* 


J* 


4 


9* 


A* 


6* 


2* 


5 


9* 


3A 


10 A 


QA 


6 


10f 


Q* 


5* 


7f 


7 


*♦ 


A4 


6* 


8* 


8 


3V 


9^ 


8t 


J* 



North and South make a small slam 



198 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 72 

Trick 1. — The hand suggests holding up the Ace of 
spades until the second round, as if the heart finesse loses, 
the spade suit might not then make. But as adversaries 
have an established club suit, it is no use to hold up the 
Ace of spades, as South's only chance for game, probably, 
is to find the King of hearts with West. South concludes 
the hand possibly illustrates not holding up and if so 
belongs in Group VI. 

Trick 2. — South first leads Ace of diamonds on the 
chance of being able to locate the Queen and also because 
if he later should decide to finesse, it is better to do so 
on second round than on first round. 

Tricks 5, 6, 7 and 8. — East does not discard his only 
remaining diamond so as to conceal his weakness in the 
suit. 

Trick 9. — South now leads the diamond from dummy 
and finds that East is either out or has the Queen. As 
the distribution of the club suit must have been either 
6-4-2-1 or 7-3-2-1, and if the former (which probabilities 
strongly favor) he holds another diamond. So South 
decides to take the finesse, especially as it is the first 
game, and if the finesse wins he will gain three tricks 
besides honor-score for small slam. He realizes, though, 
that he can just go game by not finessing and that if 
the finesse loses, he will then only make the two odd that 
he has already won. 

Remarks. — At trick 9 all South can infer from the dia- 
monds played is that either West held the 4 and 5 only 
originally or East the 7 and 10 only, and cannot tell 
which one is concealing weakness in the suit by refusing 
to discard. The hand illustrates how in actual play one 
is sometimes criticised by partner, presumably because 
of the latter's failure to appreciate the reasons that justi- 
fied a finesse which lost one trick and game, 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



19£ 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all, first game. South deals 



A 10 7 

V A 10 5 4 3 2 

♦ 982 



A K Q 8 4 2 

* 10 8 5 

♦ Q 54 





N 




w 


S 


E 



GROUP T 

No. 72 



A J9 

V 98 

*AK764 32 
♦ 10 7 



* A653 
V Q J7 

* Q 

+ AKJ63 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4* 


74» 


9* 


A* 


2 


44 


2t 


74 


A4 


3 


KV 


Ay 


8¥ 


QV 


4 


6V 


2V 


9V 


J¥ 


5 


5* 


10 ¥ 


6* 


7V 


6 


8* 


5¥ 


2* 


34k 


7 


2* 


4¥ 


J* 


54k 


8 


8* 


3¥ 


3* 


6* 


9 


©-♦ 


84 


10 ♦ 


*♦ 



North and South win two odd tricks only 



200 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 73 

Bidding. — North thought it would be easier to make 
four hearts than five diamonds, but as his hand is worth 
an extra trick at diamonds since he can ruff third round 
of hearts if necessary, he should have bid three diamonds. 
West is satisfied with the heart bid while a double might 
drive opponents to a four-diamond bid. 

Trick 2. — West, of course, continues spades so as to 
force declarant, especially having length in trumps him- 
self. 

Trick 10. — South realizes he can now make contract 
by leading clubs, provided the club finesse will win, but 
if it loses he will be set two tricks. He concludes East 
would not have bid a spade without the King of clubs, and 
so leads another diamond. If East discards a spade in- 
stead of blanking his King of clubs, and West does not 
then lead a club, South will get an extra trick; while he 
realizes West is not likely to make the mistake, it is his 
best chance for contract. 

Remarks. — While the hand plays itself, it is given 
merely to show the value of forcing declarant, as any 
other lead but a spade at trick 2 would enable declarant 
to make four odd. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



201 



THE FORCE 



The score is love all. East deals 

A*X Q 7 5 

V 10 9 5 3 2 
* 63 

♦ 74 



GROUP I 

No. 73 



V AQ J 87 

* 52 
♦ A Q J 6 3 




* 863 

V K4 

* A Q 10 9 8 
♦ X 10 2 



A A 10 9 4 2 
V 6 

* X J74 
♦ 985 



Round 


Dealer 


South 


West 


North 


1 
2 
3 


no 

one spade 

no 


one heart 

two 

diamonds 

no 


no 

two spades 

no 


no 
three hearts 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


K* 


34k 


24k 


J4» 


2 


Q4» 


64k 


44k 


7V 


3 


2V 


KV 


6V 


8V 


4 


3¥ 


4V 


44k 


QV 


5 


5V 


84k 


5* 


Ay 


6 


44 


K# 


8* 


34 


7 


?♦ 


10 $ 


94 


64 


8 


9V 


2f 


74k 


J4 


9 


74k 


8* 


94k 


JV 


10 


10 ¥ 


94k 


J4k 


At 


11 


5* 


10 4k 


10 A 


Qt 


12 


3* 


Q4k 


A4k 


24k 


13 


6* 


A4k 


K* 


54k 



North and South are set one trick 



202 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 74 

Bidding. — South's four honors and the adverse score 
warrant his bidding one more trick than he otherwise 
would. 

Trick 1. — West's best opening lead is not clear, but 
as partner raised the spade bid twice, he decides to open 
the spade suit rather than the short club suit. 

Trick 2. — East being longer in the spade suit than 
partner, abandons the unblocking play as otherwise West 
cannot help blocking him. 

Trick 3. — West holds up the Ace of hearts, as if he 
wins the second round, dummy's trumps will be exhausted. 

Trick 4. — South concludes it is safer to first establish 
the diamond suit, as the Ace of hearts is being held up 
and dummy only had two hearts. 

Trick 5. — As East now has no more diamonds unless 
his play of the 6 of diamonds was a false card, South 
leads the trump again. 

Trick 6. — West is careful to lead the 8 of spades in- 
stead of the 5 so as not to block the suit. 

Remarks. — If declarant is not forced, he will make his 
contract, unless West succeeds in obtaining a club ruff. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



203 



* 

THE FORCE 

N and S 0, E and W 8 on rubber game. South deals 

A*A Q 8 5 

V A 5 3 GROUP I 

* 10 6 No. 74 

♦ K543 


V X Q J 10 2 
*KQ J 

♦ Q J 10 9 


W 

S N 

E 


A 10 9 7 
¥ 94 
*7543 
♦ A872 




*J6432 
¥876 

* A98 2 

♦ 6 





Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one heart 


one spade 


no 


two spades 


2 


three hearts 


no 


no 


three spades 


3 


four hearts 


double 


no 


no 


4 


no 









Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A* 


74k 


44k 


K4k 


2 


Q4k 


94k 


34k 


2¥ 


3 


3V 


4V 


6V 


K* 


4 


3^ 


2* 


64 


Q* 


5 


A* 


9V 


7V 


QV 


6 


84k 


10 4k 


J4» 


10 V 


7 


5¥ 


3* 


8V 


JV 


8 


4* 


7f 


24» 


J* 


9 


5t 


84 


84» 


10 4 


10 


*♦ 


A* 


94» 


94 


11 


6* 


44k 


A4k 


J4k 


12 


5* 


54* 


64k 


Q4> 


13 


10« 


7* 


24k 


E4> 



North and South are set two tricks 



204 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 75 

Trick 7. — If declarant held five spades originally, he 
must now hold one club and the lead of a club will set 
him one trick; while if West leads a diamond and declar- 
ant ruffs in dummy in order to discard his losing club, 
dummy will then have one trump left and declarant two 
trumps, so that all declarant can then make are the three 
remaining trumps, as he (West) has both their suits twice 
stopped. If, however, declarant held six spades origi- 
nally, he hasn't a club, and the lead of a club will enable 
him to make dummy's club suit and hence his contract, 
while the lead of a diamond will set him three tricks 
whether he ruffs or dummy ruffs. Hence West now leads 
a diamond. 

Remarks. — The hand is partly interesting as showing 
an unusual situation wherein one should lead a suit that 
allows one opponent a discard and the other a ruff. De- 
clarant, however, plays the hand badly, as he should lead 
a spade at trick 2. Then on ruffing second round of 
diamonds, dummy can ruff the next round of spades and 
put declarant in the lead again by a trump lead for an- 
other spade ruff in dummy, which establishes the suit. 
Declarant can thus make four odd against adversaries 
who can make a small slam at either no-trumps or dia- 
monds. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



205 



THE FORCE 



The score is love all. West deals 

* AQ 10 
V K 5 

* AQ3 

* *A J 8 5 4 



GROUP I 

No. 75 



AKJ9852 

V A 10 7 6 4 2 
*6 
♦ 




4b4 

V J983 
* J98742 
♦ 93 



Bound 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 
3 
4 


one no-trump 

two 

no-trumps 

no 

double 


no 
no 
no 
no 


no 

no 

four 

diamonds 

no 


two spades 

three hearts 

four hearts 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A* 


34 


24 


2V 


2 


5¥ 


3V 


Q¥ 


Ay 


3 


3* 


2* 


10* 


6* 


4 


44 


94 


64 


4V 


5 


10 * 


4* 


3A 


8 4 


6 


KV 


8V 


64 


6V 


7 


«*♦ 


44 


74 


7¥ 


8 


Q4 


9V 


74 


9 4 


9 


Q* 


7* 


5* 


10 ¥ 


10 


A* 


8* 


10 4 


24 


11 


54 


JV 


Q4 


54 


12 


A* 


9« 


K* 


J4 


13 


8 + 


J* 


*♦ 


K* 



North and South are set three tricks 



206 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 76 

Trick 1. — While declarant may be false-carding in 
diamonds, and if so, holds both Queen and trey, West de- 
cides it is more probable partner has the trey and is show- 
ing four in the suit, as he would not echo to show out on 
an Ace lead. 

Trick 2. — If declarant has no more diamonds, he must 
hold the Ace of hearts besides his spades headed by King 
Queen or King Jack, as otherwise he would not have bid 
spades initially. As dummy's heart suit is therefore es- 
tablished and he has three trumps, besides the Ace of 
clubs, it is unlikely a force will hurt declarant. West 
to save game must make a club trick and two trump 
tricks, and hence leads King of clubs before he loses his 
Ace of trumps. 

Trick 4. — As West may have the 9 or 10 of trumps, 
East overtakes to give partner a chance to ruff in case 
declarant has the missing club. 

Remarks. — If West at trick 2 forces declarant, latter 
will make five odd. Declarant can go game, however, 
by refusing to play dummy's Ace of clubs on first round. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HAXDS 



207 



AVOIDING FORCING DECLARANT 



The score is love all. South deals 

* A 10 2 
V763 

* K J 

* *A98 6 2 



GROUP n 

No. 76 



AKQJ965 
V A 54 

* 10 7 5 

♦ K 




4 873 
V KQ J92 

* A 3 

♦ J54 



V 10 8 

* Q 9864 2 

♦ Q 10 7 3 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one spade 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A* 


44 


74 


*♦ 


2 


K* 


A* 


6* 


5* 


3 


A* 


3* 


44k 


J* 


4 


J* 


3* 


QA 


7* 


5 


10 4k 


54 


4A 


10 A 


6 


6^ 


*♦ 


«♦ 


54 



North and South win three odd tricks 



208 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 77 

Bidding. — West should have bid four spades and North 
would probably have doubled, although West can make 
his contract. 

Trick 1. — As there are so many missing diamonds be- 
low the 7, West decides it is more probable partner has 
played his third best diamond and so holds both Jack and 
9 and at least all but one of the missing diamonds, while 
declarant is either out or has one small, unless he played 
Queen holding the Jack also. In latter event, East can- 
not have two diamonds higher than the 7 and so can only 
have one more diamond which gives declarant six dia- 
monds originally, a holding highly improbable, as latter 
would then have no spades nor clubs for he must have at 
least seven trumps since partner (East) with as many as 
six would have doubled. 

Trick 2. — West realizes if declarant is in the lead, he 
may be able to exhaust trumps and make dummy's club 
suit, so that if declarant has no diamonds left, the lead 
of King of diamonds may cost two tricks. If, however, 
he has no spades and one diamond left the lead of King 
of spades can only cost one trick, while if he held six 
diamonds, West cannot then lose King of diamonds by not 
leading it. Therefore West leads King of spades, es- 
pecially as it would seem to be the best chance to save 
game. 

Trick 3. — West of course now leads a low spade as the 
Ace would establish dummy's spades. 

Remarks. — This hand comes under the definition of a 
freak. The lead of the King of diamonds by West at 
trick 2 would enable declarant to make five odd. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



209 



AVOIDING FORCING DECLARANT 



The scoi 


e is love all. 
4 AK8 65 


South deals 

42 

GROUP II 

No. 77 


▼ 

46543 
♦ *AK 


4 J7 

VAKJ109542 

487 

♦ Q 


W 
S 

E 


N 


A Q 10 9 3 
VQ 

* A Q J9 2 

♦ 10 8 2 




A 


13 




V 8763 

*K10 

♦ J9765' 





Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


three hearts 
no 


three spades 
no 


four hearts 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A* 


24 


74 


Q4 


2 


K* 


34k 


94 


74k 


3 


2 A 


94k 


3¥ 


J4k 


4 


*♦ 


84 


6t 


9V 


5 


44 


QV 


6¥ 


AV 


6 


54 


2* 


7¥ 


K* 


7 


64 


9* 


8V 


J¥ 


8 


34 


J* 


K* 


T* 



North and South are set one trick 



210 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 78 

Trick 2. — East reasons that if he takes the trump trick, 
leads King of spades and then third round, declarant will 
ruff, exhaust trumps and may be able to make the club 
suit. If he leads the diamond instead of third round of 
spades and finds partner with the Ace, by holding up Ace 
of trumps until second round, he can probably make three 
diamond tricks. Declarant apparently wishes to exhaust 
adverse trumps, presumably in order to make the club 
suit. While holding up will cost a trick if declarant held 
five hearts to the King 10, having bid the suit with outside 
strength, it would seem more likely he has both King and 
Queen. 

Trick 5. — East now shifts to the diamond suit rather 
than allow declarant to be in the lead by forcing him 
with a spade. 

Trick 7. — West knows that declarant was false-carding 
at trick 6 and must have another diamond, as otherwise 
East with King Queen of spades, Ace of hearts and six 
diamonds to the King Queen would have bid, and in fact 
would have bid if he had held five of the suit. Hence he 
decides declarant has two more diamonds and so returns 
the diamond with the expectation of getting a ruff on the 
fourth round. He can then make a spade trick if de- 
clarant has the missing spade. 

Remarks. — If East at trick 5 forces declarant, he will 
lose three tricks as declarant can then go game. Declar- 
ant can save one trick by leading three rounds of clubs 
before starting trumps, but such play gives up all chance 
for game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



211 



AVOIDING FORCING DECLARANT 



The score is love all. South deals 

AJ972 
V 10 8 4 

*J73 
♦ A82 



GROUP n 

No. 78 



A A4 
VKQ753 

* K 2 

♦ J 10 9 6 




A KQ6 
V A92 
4985 
4 KQ74 



A 10 8 5 3 
V J6 

* A Q 10 6 4 

♦ 53 



Kound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one heart 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


2A 


34k 


QA 


A* 


2 


4V 


JV 


2V 


3V 


3 


8V 


6* 


AV 


5¥ 


4 


7* 


5* 


K* 


4* 


5 


8* 


34 


K4 


6* 


6 


A^ 


54 


44 


Jf 


7 


24 


4* 


Q4 


10 ♦ 


8 


10 V 


6* 


74 


94 


9 


J* 


84 


6* 


7V 



North and South win the odd trick 



212 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 79 

Trick 6. — As West bid clubs, East concludes South's 
lead of Queen of clubs at trick 2 was either a singleton 
or from Queen Jack only, as he would not be likely to 
lead from Queen and one small. As declarant may be 
trying to establish dummy's heart suit, that is, a thir- 
teenth heart, a club lead will probably enable declarant 
to get in for another heart lead and possibly enable him 
to get a discard. Hence, unless declarant led from Queen 
and one small club, the only chance to save game is to 
make two diamond tricks, and another heart trick, or 
else three diamond tricks. So East leads a diamond up 
to dummy's weakness, especially as he may never be in 
the lead again. 

Remarks. — Declarant at trick 2 should have started a 
heart and would probably go game as East would then 
lead a club. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



213 



AVOIDING FORCING DECLARANT 



The score is love all. South deals 

VKJ4 

* K J 10 8 5 2 

♦ A 10 2 



GROUP II 

No. 79 



* AK8642 
V 10 3 2 

* Q 

♦ KQ8 




* 10 9 5 
V A8 75 

* A 64 

* 953 



AQ73 
VQ96 
* 9 73 
+ J764 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one spade 
no 


two clubs 
no 


two spades 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


J* 


5* 


3* 


K* 


2 


K* 


A* 


3* 


Q* 


3 


2* 


10 * 


U 


2A 


4 


5* 


9A 


QA 


A *. 


5 


4¥ 


7V 


9 V 


2¥ 


6 


A4 


34 


44 


<?♦ 


7 


10 ♦ 


54 


64 


*♦ 


8 


JV 


5V 


Q¥ 


3¥ 


9 


24 


9* 


J* 


84 



North and South win three odd tricks 



214 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 80 

Trick 3. — As East played Queen of diamonds, he can 
have no more diamonds and West therefore infers that 
declarant held the King Jack 10 9 3 of diamonds, besides 
the King of hearts and Ace of spades he was previously 
marked with. 

Trick 4. — West realizes if he leads his spade suit to 
establish it, South can make, besides the Ace of spades, 
four diamond and two heart tricks which with the two 
tricks already won means game. As declarant holds a 
real no-trumper even if he has nothing in clubs, West 
leads King of clubs on the chance his partner has the 
suit. While the lead may lose a trick, it may gain sev- 
eral tricks, and is the only chance of saving game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS' 



215 



ABANDONING A SUIT 



The score is love all. South deals 



A K J 9 *4 
V Q 10 9 

* K10 3 

♦ A87 



group ni 

No. 80 



A AQ 5 
V K 62 

♦ 87 

♦ K J 10 9 3 




A 873 
V A J4 
*Q95 
♦ 6542 



A 10 6 2 
V 87 53 

* A J 64 2 

♦ Q 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


i 


4* 


34 


10 4 


Q4 


2 


9¥ 


JV 


3V 


2V 


3 


A* 


24 


Q4 


K4 


4 


K* 


5* 


6* 


74 


5 


10* 


Q4 


A* 


84 


6 


3* 


9* 


J* 


54 


7 


74 


44 


44 


34 


8 


9* 


74k 


24 


94 



North and South win the odd trick 



216 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 81. 

Trick 3. — Declarant must have held five hearts and 
cannot have both King and Jack as he would have bid 
hearts instead of no-trumps, and so should at least have 
Ace of diamonds, and King Queen or King Jack of clubs. 
West reasons if he establishes the spade suit expecting 
to get in again with the Ace of hearts, declarant can win 
eight tricks in the minor suits or game counting the spade 
trick. Hence he decides to make King of spades and run 
with the hearts, hoping to find partner with the King. 

Trick 4. — East's low heart lead and discard of a club 
tend to confirm West in his decision to run with the 
hearts. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



217 



ABANDONING A SUIT 



The score is love all. South deals 

* K *10 9 8 5 4 2 

^ A Q 9 GROUP III 

* 9 5 No - 81 

* 3 


* 73 

VJ8764 
*KQJ2 

♦ AT 


W 
S 

E 


N 


AQJ6 
V2 

* A874 
♦KQJ65 




A A 

V K 10 5 3 

* 10 6 3 

♦ 10 9 8 4 2 







Eound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 
no 


two spades 
no 


two 
no-trumps 


no 



Triek 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10 4k 


J4k 


A4k 


34k 


2 


9V 


2V 


3 V 


4V 


3 


K4» 


64k 


3* 


74k 


4 


Av 


44k 


5 V 


6¥ 


5 


Q¥ 


5* 


10 V 


7V 



North and South wm two odd tricks 



218 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 82 

Bidding. — East should have bid two hearts to indicate 
a lead as he is strong enough to play the hand if left in. 

Trick 3. — As West has no re-entry it is no use to 
establish spades and he therefore leads a heart on the 
chance of finding it is partner's suit. While South may 
have high-card strength in hearts or length, he cannot 
have both length and strength and as he (West) and 
dummy together have five hearts as compared with six 
diamonds, his best chance is to lead the shorter and 
weaker of the two suits, especially as dummy's diamond 
suit has too much strength. 

Trick 4.— South can expect to make five club tricks, 
a spade trick, and the Ace of diamonds, which with the 
Ace of hearts falls one trick short of going game. Hence 
he needs to locate the King of diamonds. 

Trick 7. — South now makes King of spades while in 
the lead and does not discard dummy's heart, intending 
to play on the assumption that East has the King of dia- 
monds, and so, when making clubs, East will either have 
to blank the King of diamonds or else dummy by a heart 
lead can force him to lead away from the King of dia- 
monds. 

Trick 8. — South, on further thought, realizes that West 
holding a once guarded King of diamonds may have aban- 
doned the spade suit at trick 3, having little chance to 
get in with the Ace of diamonds in dummy and further- 
more East holding Ace of spades, five hearts to the King 
Queen 10 and the King of diamonds would have bid, and 
so came to the 'conclusion that the King of diamonds is 
on his left. 

Remarks. — South, of course, can go game if he can 
place the King of diamonds correctly, and his failure to 
do so is due to East's error in not bidding. While he can 
take ten tricks if he wins the second round of spades, 
he cannot be sure that East has not another spade. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



219 



ABANDONING A SUIT 

The score is love all. South deals 

A*Q J 8754 3 
V 72 

* J 3 

♦ 83 



group in 

No. 82 



A K92 
V A9 4 

* A 9 5 

♦ Q J95 




* 10 
V J85 

* K Q 10 7 2 

* A 10 6 2 



A A6 

VKQ1063 

* 864 

♦ K74 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


"West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Q4 


10 4 


A4 


24 


2 


H 


24 


64 


94 


3 


7* 


5V 


10 ¥ 


4V 


4 


2V 


8¥ 


Ky 


A* 


5 


3* 


Q* 


44 


54 


6 


J* 


24 


6*. 


A* 


7 


34 


64 


44 


*4 


8 


34 


10 4 


K4 


TV 


9 


44 


JV 


QV 


9V 



North and South are set one trick 



220 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 83 

Trick 1. — West opens the clubs irregularly to show it 
is a weak suit. 

Trick 2. — As East cannot have held more than three 
clubs, West realizes his club suit can never be made, and 
reasons that the best chance to save game is to find part- 
ner with diamonds. If declarant has King of hearts, 
there is no advantage in passing the Jack, while if partner 
has the King, the play of Ace may save a needed re-entry. 
West therefore plays Ace of hearts in order to start the 
diamond suit. 

Trick 5. — It makes no difference how South plays, as 
he can get only two odd anyway. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



221 



ABANDONING A SUIT 



The score is love all. South deals 

48543 
¥ A4 

* 9 *7 6 5 2 

♦ 10 8 



group in 

No. 83 



9 3 



4 AQ 
V J 10 
* A 8 
♦ K6542 




*10 9 7 
V K86 

* 10 4 3 

♦ AQ97 



AKJ62 
V Q75 2 

* KQ J 

♦ J3 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


7* 


J* 


3* 


A* 


2 


A* 


2V 


6¥ 


JV 


3 


10 ♦ 


J4 


A* 


2# 


4 


8f 


3* 


Q* 


4* 


5 


5* 


5V 


94 


*♦ 


6 


34 


24 


74 


A4 


7 


44 


64 


94 


Q4 


8 


6* 


Q* 


44 


84 



North and South win two odd tricks 



222 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 84 

Bidding. — South bids a border line no-trump because 
of the adverse advance score, hoping to discourage a bid 
by the opponents. 

Trick 1. — South realizes he can go game by playing 
Ace of hearts if the spade suit is evenly distributed, or he 
can go game if he can make both Ace and Queen of 
hearts. If the King of hearts is with East, he still has 
a chance for game if the diamond suit is not led. 

Trick 2. — East reasons that if returning the heart will 
establish the suit, declarant must have Ace of spades and 
King or Queen of clubs, and so can probably make three 
spade and four club tricks, besides the Ace of hearts, 
which means game if he has the Ace of diamonds. Fur- 
thermore, partner's heart suit may be Jack high instead 
of Queen high, hence East shifts to the diamond suit as 
being the best chance to save game, although realizing 
declarant may have both Ace and Queen of diamonds. 
East having the King with the 9 as well as the Jack, leads 
the Jack to top the 10 in dummy. 

Remarks. — As the cards lie, declarant can go game by 
playing dummy's Ace of hearts at trick 1 and then leading 
four rounds of clubs. But his play is sound, since a 
4-4-3-2 distribution for the spade suit is more probable 
than a 4-3-3-3 distribution and it is an even chance the 
King of hearts is on his left. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



223 



ABANDONING A SUIT 



N and S 0, E and W 18 on first game. South deals 



4*92 

V J 10 5 3 2 

* 874 

♦ A62 



group in 

No. 84 



A A 10 4 
V Q97 
*KQ9 3 
♦ Q 87 





w 




s 




N 




E 





A KQ83 
V A6 

* A J 10 2 

♦ 10 5 3 



A J765 
V K84 

* 6 5 

♦ K J9 4 



Kound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


oneno-trump 
no 


no 
no 


two 
no-trumps 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


3V 


6V 


kv 


7¥ 


2 


24 


34 


J* 


7* 


3 


A4 


54 


44 


8* 


4 


64 


10 ♦ 


*♦ 


Qf 


5 


2V 


3* 


94 


3* 


6 


5V 


AV 


8V 


9¥ 


7 


4* 


2* 


5* 


Q* 


8 


24k 


8* 


5A 


A* 



North and South win two odd tricks 



224 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 85 

Trick 1. — Since West opened a four-card suit, declar- 
ant must have three hearts including Ace or King as he 
bid no-trumps. Hence East refuses to play Queen of 
hearts as so doing would then make dummy's Jack a 
re-entry for the diamond suit. 

Trick 2. — East of course holds up the King of diamonds 
until the second round. 

Trick 6. — South knows it is no use to lead King of 
spades in order to make dummy's Queen a re-entry, as 
adversary will refuse to play Ace. Hence his only chance 
of getting dummy in is to find the Ace on his left. 

Remarks. — East's ducking at trick 1 saves three tricks. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



225 



PREVENTING DECLARANT MAKING A SUIT 
IN DUMMY 



The score is love all. South deals 

A J765 
V K 10 8 4 

* Q J2 

♦ 87 



GROUP IV 

No. 85 



A K942 
V A95 

* AK64 

♦ J3 




AQ3 

¥ J76 
*95 

♦ A Q 10 6 5 2 



A A 10 8 
VQ32 

* 10 8 7 3 

♦ K94 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4¥ 


6¥ 


2¥ 


9V 


2 


74 


2f 


44 


J4 


3 


84 


10 ♦ 


*♦ 


3* 


4 


8V 


7* 


QV 


5V 


5 


10 ¥ 


J¥ 


3¥ 


Ay 


6 


5A 


Q* 


A* 


2A 


7 


2* 


5* 


8* 


E* 


8 


J* 


9* 


3* 


A* 


9 


Q* 


3A 


7* 


4* 


10 


Ky 


5* 


9* 


6* 


11 


6A 


64 


10 4k 


*A 


12 


7* 


Q4 


8*. 


4* 


13 


J* 


A4 


10* 


9* 



North and South are set one trick 



226 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 86 

Bidding. — South has a three-spade bid third hand after 
two passes, but as dealer, one spade is preferable to three 
spades initially. 

Trick 5. — If declarant has the missing 2 of clubs and 
West covers the Jack, declarant will refuse to play dum- 
my's King and thus make the rest of dummy's clubs by 
another lead through West. As declarant could have 
won, at trick 1, with the Jack and so did not need to allow 
West to make a club trick, West concludes declarant is 
trying to make the club suit either in order to go game or 
to make an extra trick. As dummy has no re-entry, West 
does not cover and thus declarant can now make only one 
more club trick instead of two more. East is not likely 
to have the 2 spot, as echoing to show out is unneces- 
sary when it would be obvious on the second round any- 
way. 

Trick 6. — West of course does not need to keep dia- 
monds as his partner has indicated strength in the suit 
by his discard of the 8. 

Remarks. — If West covers at trick 5, declarant will go 
game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



227 



PREVENTING DECLARANT MAKING A SUIT 
IN DUMMY 

The score is love all. South deals 



A 98 2 
VQ106 

* Q 10 8 *4 

♦ Q54 



GROUP IV 

No. 86 



AAKQJ4 
V A73 

* A J 2 

♦ 10 3 




*73 
V J42 
*K9763 
♦ J92 



A 10 6 5 
VK985 

* 5 

♦ AK876 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


three spades 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4* 


3* 


5* 


A* 


2 


2* 


3* 


5* 


A* 


3 


8* 


7* 


6A 


K* 


4 


9* 


2^ 


10* 


Q* 


5 


8* 


6* 


84 


J* 


6 


44 


9^ 


5¥ 


J* 


7 


5* 


*♦ 


64 


4A 


8 


10* 


K* 


74 


2* 


9 


6V 


2¥ 


8V 


A* 


10 


QV 


4V 


9V 


3¥ 


11 


Q* 


7* 


Af 


7V 


12 


$♦ 


9* 


*♦ 


3f 


13 


10 V 


J¥ 


Ky 


10 ♦ 



North and South win three odd tricks 



228 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 87. 

Trick 1. — As East's club bid indicated weakness, West 
does not like to open the King high spade suit, and the 
club or diamond opening would be even worse. 

Trick 7. — West realizes if he returns clubs, another 
heart lead by declarant (he being marked with the 3 spot) 
will establish the suit in dummy while latter still has a 
re-entry in the Ace of spades. His only chance to save 
game is to find the Queen of spades with partner, and 
hence he leads 10 of spades to prevent dummy's Jack 
making in case partner has the Queen. 

Remarks. — If West leads a club at trick 7, declarant 
will make four odd, and if he leads a low spade, declarant 
will make three odd or game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS. 



229 



PREVENTING DECLARANT MAKING A SUIT 
IN DUMMY 



N and S 10, E and W on first game. 

A K 10 8 3 2 
V*K Q 8 

* A7 

♦ J53 



West deals 

GROUP IV 

No. 87 



A 95 

V A 10 3 

*KQ3 

♦AQ982 





w 




s 


E 


N 



4 A J7 
V 97642 
4864 
♦ K7 



4 Q64 
¥ J5 

* J 10 9 5 2 

♦ 10 6 4 



Round 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 
3 


oneno-trump 

two spades 

no 


no 

three 
diamonds 


two clubs 
no 


two 

diamonds 

no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


KV 


2¥ 


5V 


A* 


2 


34 


*♦ 


44 


24 


3 


54 


74 


64 


Q4 


4 


J4 


44 


10 4 


A4 


5 


8V 


4V 


JV 


10 ¥ 


6 


A* 


6* 


J* 


Q4 


7 


10 4 


J4 


Q4 


54 


8 


Krf» 


A4k 


64 


94 


9 


QV 


1 V 


44 


3¥ 


10 


8* 


74 


24 


8* 


11 


24 


7¥ 


54 


94 


12 


7* 


84i 


94 


K*' 


13 


34k 


9V 


10 4 


34 



North and South are set one trick 



230 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 88 

Trick 1. — South can count eight tricks only, as adver- 
saries having Ace of clubs can make four spade tricks. 
His only chance for game is that, while making the dia- 
mond suit, the adversary holding five spades may discard 
one in order to protect hearts. 

Trick 6. — West reasons his partner has both King and 
5 of spades as the latter card is missing, so that the dis- 
card of the 9 indicates four in the suit. Declarant can- 
not be false-carding, as East with the 9 spot only or King 
9 would have discarded either a heart or the King of 
spades. So West does not discard a spade. 

Trick 7. — East must have Ace of clubs and three hearts, 
or Ace King of clubs and two hearts. If his hearts were 
only 9 high he would have discarded one. Hence West 
concludes partner must have either Ace or King of hearts, 
and so discards a heart in order to hold all his spades. 
At any rate game cannot be saved unless he has Ace or 
King. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



231 



DISCARDING 



The score is love 



A A 87 
V A 7 6 5 

* K74 

♦ AQ2 




all. South deals 
*4 2 



GROUP V 

No. 88 



A3 

V 10 4 2 

* Q 9 5 

♦ K J 10 7 6 5 



A KQ9 5 
V K9 3 

* A J 10 8 

♦ 84 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4A 


3A 


QA 


AA 


2 


34 


54 


44 


A4 


3 


94 


64 


84 


Q4 


4 


2* 


74 


J* 


24 


5 


3* 


£♦ 


8* 


7A 


6 


6* 


J* 


9A 


8A 


7 


8V 


10 4 


10 A 


5¥ 


8 


JV 


5* 


A* 


4A 


9 


2 4k 


2¥ 


KA 


6¥ 


10 


6A 


4¥ 


5A 


7¥ 


11 


J A 


10 V 


3V 


7* 


12 


10 A 


9* 


9V 


K* 


13 


QV 


Q* 


KV 


Ay 



North and South win two odd tricks 



232 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 89 

Trick 1. — West's best opening lead is a question. With 
a major and minor suit of equal length and the same high 
card strength, the major suit is the better opening against 
a no-trump. West chose the diamond suit opening as 
the two high cards are in sequence while the spade suit 
has a potential major tenace. 

Trick 5. — West discards the 7 of spades to show 
strength in the suit. 

Trick 6. — West now realizes he will have to make two 
more discards and prefers to discard one of his winning 
diamonds rather than to blank his Ace of spades by dis- 
carding two more spades, and thus eventually have to 
lead away from his Queen of hearts, probably, especially 
as partner denies heart strength and may have King of 
spades. 

Trick 7. — West concludes as his partner is discarding 
hearts and only held two diamonds and two clubs that 
he probably holds four or five spades, and if he happens 
to have four to the King 10 or five to the King the dis- 
card of the 3 of spades would block the suit, preventing 
partner making the suit by finessing to capture the Queen 
in dummy. Therefore, West discards the Jack of spades 
instead of the trey as the play can hardly lose and may 
gain. 

Trick 9.— Declarant now knows West holds both Queen 
and 9 of hearts as otherwise he must have held five spades 
and so would have opened the suit originally, probably. 
He also now has two spades left, which are either Ace 10 
or King 10 as he discarded the 7 and Jack, and cannot 
have both Ace King or the suit would have been opened. 
Hence, declarant now leads a low spade from dummy so 
West will then eventually have to lead up to declarant's 
Ace Jack of hearts, as East cannot win second round of 
spades without enabling dummy to make the Queen. 

Remarks. — Although declarant never makes his Ace of 
hearts and did not reason at trick 9 that West might hold 
a small spade, his play would seem to be the best chance 
for the two tricks needed in order to go game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



233 



DISCARDING 



The score is love all. South deals 

A A J73 
V Q9 5 

* 9 5 

♦ K Q 8 *4 



GROUP V 

No. 89 



A 8 

V A J82 

* K Q8 63 

♦ A 3 2 




*Q42 
V K4 

* J 10 7 2 

♦ J 10 6 5 



A K 10 9 6 5 
V 10 7 6 3 
A A 4 
♦ 97 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


44 


10 ♦ 


7 4 


24 


2 


5* 


J* 


44 


34 


3 


9* 


7* 


A* 


64 


4 


84 


5* 


94 


£± 


5 


7* 


2« 


3¥ 


K A 


6 


*♦ 


10 4 


6 V 


Q4 


7 


J* 


64 


7¥ 


84 


8 


5¥ 


K* 


10 ¥ 


2¥ 


9 


A* 


24 


94 


84 


10 


Q* 


J4 


64 


34 


11 


34 


44 


54 


8¥ 


12 


9¥ 


Q4 


K4 


J¥ 


13 


Q¥ 


4¥ 


10 4 


AV 



North and South win the odd trick 



234 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 90 

Trick 5. — East needs another trick to save game. If 
he discards the diamond and partner only held four spades 
originally, he will then not know whether to lead a heart 
or a club. East therefore discards his lowest heart to 
direct a club lead and also to conceal his diamond weak- 
ness. Although the heart discard may lose a trick, as 
declarant should have the two other Aces, there is prob- 
ably no chance to save game if declarant can take three 
heart tricks by a finesse of Ace Jack (unless partner held 
five spades). 

Tricks 9 and 10. — East now has to make two more 
discards. His only chance is to trust partner has the 
Jack of hearts and hence he must keep a guard to the 
Queen of hearts in case partner has said Jack. He there- 
fore discards one club and one heart. 

Trick 12. — West of course should not cover declarant's 
lead of the 10 of hearts. 

Remarks. — If East does not discard a heart at trick 5, 
West would guess the heart lead through dummy's King, 
which would have enabled declarant to go game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



23: 



DISCARDING 



The score is love all. South deals 

* A Q 10 9 
V J6 2 

* J 6 2 

* J 87 



GROUP V 

No. 90 



A J7 6 4 
V A 10 5 

* A 9 7 

♦ Q 6 2 




* 832 
V Q874 
*KQ43 

♦ K5 



A K 5 

V K9 3 

* 10 8 5 

♦ A 10 9 4 3 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10* 


5<fc 


2* 


J* 


2 


74 


34 


K4 


Q4 


3 


A* 


K* 


8A 


4* 


4 


QA 


5* 


3* 


6* 


5 


9* 


8* 


4V 


7* 


6 


J* 


10* 


4* 


A* 


7 


84 


94 


54 


24 


8 


'♦ 


A* 


3* 


6* 


9 


6* 


10 4 


K* 


7* 


10 


2* 


4* 


7¥ 


9* 


11 


2V 


3V 


8V 


AV 


12 


6V 


KV 


QV 


10 v 


13 


JV 


9V 


Q* 


5¥ 



North and South win two odd tricks 



236 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 91 

Trick 1. — If East plays Ace and returns the trump, 
declarant will exhaust trumps and may then be able to 
make dummy's club suit. If East leads the heart instead, 
dummy can ruff the second round and as declarant's ini- 
tial diamond bid indicates he holds a re-entry he can 
probably get in, and the result is the same, presumably. 
East therefore refuses to play Ace of trumps, as on sec- 
ond round he will be in the lead and partner may then be 
able to make heart tricks. 

Trick 6. — A possible heart ruff by partner now suggests 
itself although the fall of cards indicates he has the 5, 
but as he played the 9 of diamonds on first round of 
trumps, he can have no trumps left. Hence West now 
leads a spade. 

Remarks. — If East at trick 1 does not hold up Ace of 
diamonds, opponents take eleven tricks or game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



237 



INFERENCE. HOLDING UP 



The score is love all. South deals 

V A Q J 3 

* K72 

♦ 10 4 3 



GROUP VI 
No. 91 



V K84 2 
♦ KQ 876 5 




4*98752 
¥ 7 

* A Q 10 8 5 

♦ J2 



A Q 10 6 4 
V 10 9 6 5 
*964 
♦ A9 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one diamond 

three 

diamonds 


one heart 
no 


two 

diamonds 

no 


two hearts 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10 ♦ 


J4 


9* 


54 


2 


44 


2* 


A* 


64 


3 


3V 


7¥ 


10 V 


2V 


4 


JV 


24k 


9¥ 


4¥ 


5 


A* 


5 4k 


6¥ 


8V 


6 


3* 


74* 


QA 


A4k 


7 


34 


84k 


5V 


^4 


8 


Q¥ 


5* 


44k 


K» 


9 


K* 


8* 


64k 


Q4 


10 


2* 


10 * 


44b 


84 


11 


7* 


Q* 


6* 


J 4k 


12 


K* 


A* 


94k 


34k 


13 


U 


94k 


10 4k 


74 



North and South win three odd tricks 



238 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 92 

Trick 1. — As declarant bid spades and his partner dia- 
monds, West reasons the chances are partner's suit is 
hearts and so leads the supporting 10 of hearts, especially 
as he may never be in the lead again. 

Trick 5. — East reasons that if partner's heart opening 
was from a long suit, he held originally King 10 9 8 and 
so must have held three diamonds originally, as with less 
he must have held four or more clubs, and hence would 
have led a club at trick 1 instead of leading away from a 
guarded King against a trump declaration. Therefore, 
if West's heart opening was from a long suit, declarant's 
6 of diamonds is a singleton and he also ha*s no more 
hearts; if, however, partner's lead was from a short suit, 
dummy's Queen of hearts is a re-entry, so in either case 
it is no use to hold up the Ace of diamonds until second 
round. 

Trick 6. — If declarant is out of hearts, East is now 
sure of saving game by a heart lead, as declarant will 
either have to allow the King of hearts to make or lead 
clubs twice up to Ace King 10. But if partner's opening 
was from a short suit and East now leads a heart, he will 
never make a club trick. Hence East should now lead 
King of clubs and then decide whether to run with the 
club suit. 

Trick 7. — Partner's play of the 6 of clubs encourages 
East to continue clubs. If partner, though, had played 
a card which must be his lowest club, East should shift 
to a heart lead, as declarant must then have held five clubs 
to the Queen or Queen Jack and will have to lead clubs 
up to King 10. As West can have no trumps, his club 
echo now does not, of course, mean he has no more clubs. 

Remarks. — If East does not play Ace of diamonds on 
first round, he loses four tricks as opponents can then 
make a slam. Declarant can go game by leading a dia- 
mond at trick 2; but he feared the opening lead was a 
singleton, and hoped the Ace of diamonds would be held 
up on the first round. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



239 



INFERENCE. NOT HOLDING UP 



The score is love 


) all on rubber 

A 10 7 2 
V 10 8 

* Q 9 6 5 2 

♦ 985 


game. South deals 

GROUP VI 
No. 92 


A AKQ843 
V K9 4 

* J7 3 

♦ 6 


W 
S 

E 


N 


A6 

V AQ 52 

* 84 

♦ K Q J 10 4 3 




*J95 
V J763 

* A K 10 

♦ A72 







Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one spade 
two spades 


no 
no 


two 

diamonds 

no 


no 
no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10 V 


Ay 


3¥ 


4* 


2 


2A 


6 4. 


54» 


Q4k 


3 


74k 


4* 


94» 


K4k 


4 


10 4» 


8* 


JA 


A4» 


5 


5t 


10 4 


A# 


64 


6 


6* 


2V 


K« 


3* 


7 


5* 


34 


A* 


J 4k 


8 


Q* 


4* 


10 * 


7* 


9 


8V 


5V 


6V 


9¥ 



North and South win three odd tricks 



240 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 93 

Trick 3. — Although East had expected and wanted a 
spade opening, it is obvious partner's spade holding pre- 
cludes the inference that he led hearts because he desires 
a spade lead through declarant, as latter must have the 
Ace of spades in order to hold a no-trumper. He (West) 
therefore must have a heart suit also, probably holding 
two suits of at least five cards each, and did not lead 
spades as opponents were not expecting a heart opening, 
and also because they probably had the suit twice stopped 
as partner did not support the bid. While leading a 
spade will probably save game, if partner held six origi- 
nally; if he held five, the lead would enable declarant to 
go game, since he can then make two spade and four 
diamond tricks, and dummy's two Aces. Hence it is 
safer to return the heart, especially as the spade discard 
at trick 2 denies that he wishes the spade suit led. 

Trick 4. — As game cannot be saved if declarant has 
both Ace and King of spades, West discards another spade 
though realizing the discard may cost a trick. 

Trick 6. — As West's spade suit cannot be better than 
Jack high, East concludes he must have a re-entry in the 
club suit, especially after the discard of the 8 of clubs. 

Remarks. — Declarant at trick 1 should have played 
dummy's Ace of hearts to avoid the risk of a spade lead 
by East, in case latter happened to have King of hearts. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



241 



INFERENCE. CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUIT 



The score is love all. South deals 

A J 10 9 8 3 
V K 10 9 4 2 
*KJ8 
♦ 



GROUP VI 

No. 93 



4A5 
V QJ8 

* Q 10 9 6 

♦ K853 




A Q4 
V A 5 3 

* A4 

♦ Q 10 7 6 4 2 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 
2 


one no-trump 
no 


two spades 
no 


two 
no-trumps 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


10 V 


3V 


6V 


JV 


2 


34 


Q4 


A4 


34 


3 


9V 


A* 


7¥ 


8V 


4 


84 


24 


9f 


*♦ 


5 


8* 


44 


Jf 


84 


6 


J* 


A* 


7* 


9* 


7 


2V 


10 4 


3* 


54 


8 


94 


7 4 


5* 


Q¥ 


9 


10 4 


64 


2* 


6* 


10 


J4 


44 


24 


A* 


11 


4V 


Q4 


K* 


54 


12 


K* 


5V 


7* 


10 4 


13 


K* 


4* 


6* 


Q* 



North and South win two odd tricks 



242 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 94 

Trick 3. — East does not return partner's suit as latter 
only held four, opponents may still have the suit twice 
stopped, and dummy is weak in spades. 

Trick 6. — West concludes from the way declarant plays 
the heart suit that partner probably has the Queen and 
deuce, that is, with Ace Queen and small it does not seem 
probable he would lead small and then lead the Ace. 
Hence West plays the King of hearts so that partner will 
have a re-entry for his two established spades. While 
the play of King may cost a trick, it may save two tricks 
unless partner has a re-entry in the diamond suit. 

Remarks. — Although at trick 2, opponents only had 
the club suit once stopped, if East at trick 3 returns the 
club or West does not play King of hearts at trick 6, 
opponents can then go game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



243 



INFERENCE. MAKING A RE-ENTRY 



The score is love all. South deals 

* Q10 

VK75 
*KJ8*3 

♦ 985 3 



GROUP VI 

No. 94 



A A73 
V A84 

* Q94 

♦ AKJ2 




A 9 6 5 
V 10 9 6 3 
*A762 
♦ Q4 



A K J842 
V Q J2 

*10 5 
♦ 10 7 6 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Triek 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


3* 


2* 


10 4* 


Q4> 


2 


5V 


9¥ 


JV 


4¥ 


3 


10 4k 


54* 


44 


34 


4 


Q4 


64* 


*4 


74 


5 


34 


94 


24* 


A4 


6 


Ky 


3¥ 


2V 


AV 


7 


54 


Q4 


64 


24 


8 


84 


44 


74 


J4 


9 


94 


6* 


10 4 


A4 


10 


8* 


7* 


5A 


K4 


11 


J* 


A* 


84 


44* 


12 


7¥ 


6 V 


QV 


8V 


13 


K* 


10 ¥ 


J4 


94. 



North and South win two odd tricks 



244 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 95 

Bidding. — East after the informatory double of part- 
ner's one no-trump should have made a "rescue" by bid- 
ding two diamonds, and South should have bid two no- 
trumps instead of two clubs. 

Trick 3. — West knows that declarant cannot get in the 
lead except in the spade suit or on third round of trumps, 
but in the latter case dummy cannot ruff another dia- 
mond. The lead of King of spades from dummy would 
seem to indicate declarant is trying to make a re-entry 
in his hand, and expects the Ace of spades will be played. 
Hence West holds up the Ace. 

Remarks. — This is the same deal as Hand No. 30, but 
in the actual play the club was the declaration and declar- 
ant made five odd, or game, with four trumps in a minor 
suit against a hand containing an Ace suit, an Ace-Queen 
suit, and a King-Queen suit. West to save game must 
hold up the Ace of spades at trick 3, or else (if he wins 
the trick) lead either a low heart or two rounds of hearts, 
so that dummy will not have a re-entry for his thirteenth 
spade. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



245 



INFERENCE, 



PREVENTING DECLARANT HAVING AN 
EXTRA RE-ENTRY 



The score is love all. West deals 

A A 10 4 
V A Q93 
*Q3 
♦ *KQ97 



GROUP VI 

No. 95 



*QJ6 

V 10 8 5 

* J 10 6 5 

♦ A 8 4 




*K753 
V K642 
*AK84 
♦ 3 



A 982 
V J7 

* 97 2 

♦ J 10 6 5 2 



Bound 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 
2 


oneno-trump 
no 


double 
no 


no 
no 


two clubs 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


*♦ 


34 


64 


A4 


2 


74 


44 


10 4 


44 


3 


4* 


K* 


24 


64 


4 


A* 


5* 


84 


J4 


5 


3* 


K* 


24 


54 


6 


Q4 


A* 


74 


64 


7 


10 4 


74k 


94 


3A 


8 


94 


8* 


54 


8* 


9 


3V 


34 


94 


10 4 


10 


9V 


K* 


7¥ 


5V 


11 


QV 


2¥ 


JV 


8V 


12 


AV 


4V 


24 


10 v 


13 


Q4 


6V 


J* 


J4 



North and South win four odd tricks 



246 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 96 

Trick 7. — If West stops to count declarants hand, he 
will realize, although holding a double minor tenace in 
trumps, that a trump lead is now the only play that will 
save game. Declarant must have held originally five 
spades, five clubs, two diamonds, and one heart. He can- 
not have held three diamonds as partner must then have 
held seven hearts with four honors and so would have bid. 
Also the fall on the two rounds of diamonds tends to indi- 
cate that South now has no more diamonds. Hence 
either a heart or diamond lead will enable declarant to 
ruff a diamond and also second round of hearts, dummy 
getting in by a club ruff, and West's last three cards 
will be Queen 10 8 of trumps, so that at trick 11 he will 
have to ruff declarant's lead of the thirteenth club and 
lose the last two tricks. Therefore West leads a trump 
up to declarant's double major tenace of King Jack 9 
and thus must make King of clubs and one trump trick 
eventually. 

Remarks. — Declarant should perhaps have dummy lead 
the trump at trick 4, but in the actual play the club was 
led. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



247 



COUNTING 

The score is love all. South deals 

* Q 10 8 3 

V 75 

* K 10 5 2 

* *QJ5 



GROUP VI 

No. 96 



A K J 9 6 2 

* A J8 64 

♦ 73 




*A7 
V A64 2 
A 973 
♦ AK4 2 



A 54 

V Q J 10 9 8 3 

*Q 

♦ 10 9 8 6 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one spade 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


Qf 


K4 


8t 


3f 


2 


2* 


3* 


Q* 


A* 


3 


3* 


A* 


4* 


2* 


4 


5* 


9* 


5* 


4* 


5 


5'4 


A4 


10 ♦ 


74 


6 


10* 


7* 


3¥ 


6* 


7 


8* 


7* 


QV 


9A 


8 


K* 


24 


64 


J* 


9 


J* 


44 


9t 


6* 



North and South win three odd tricks 



248 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 97 

Trick 1. — West reasons his partner must have held 
six diamonds, as with five he would not have shown the 
suit as he later supported the club bid, and hence prob- 
ably holds either Ace of clubs or four small. 

Trick 2. — As declarant went as high as three spades 
and dummy has four, declarant cannot possibly mind a 
force. Although dummy has no suit that is likely to 
enable declarant to get any club discards, West concludes 
a club lead is not likely to cost a trick and might result 
in a ruff being obtained. As he holds King Jack 9 of 
clubs, he leads the Jack through dummy's Queen. East 
plays Ace of clubs in order to obtain a ruff. 

Remarks. — This is the same deal as Hand No. 16, in 
which forcing declarant enabled him to prevent adver- 
saries obtaining a club ruff. If East does not play Ace 
of clubs at trick 2, the result is the same, provided West 
continues the club. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



249 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all. West deals 

* 53 

V 8 7 

* K J9 85 

♦ S AJ53 



GROUP Z 

No. 97 



A AKQ96 
V A Q J4 

* 10 4 2 

♦ 7 




A J 10 8 7 
V 10 9 6 2 

* Q76 

♦ 94 



A 42 
V K 53 

* A3 

♦ K Q 10 8 6 2 



Round 


Dealer 


North 


East 


South 


1 


one club 


no 


one diamond 


one spade 


2 


no 


no 


two clubs 


two spades 


3 


three 
diamonds 


no 


no 


three spades 


4 


no 


no 


no 





Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


A# 


4* 


2* 


74 


2 


J* 


6* 


A* 


2* 


3 


K* 


7* 


3* 


4* 


4 


5* 


Q* 


2 4k 


10 4* 


5 


54 


94 


*♦ 


J3J> 



North and South win three odd tricks 



250 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 98 

Trick 1. — East notes that declarant must have Queen 
of spades also, as partner cannot have Queen Jack 10. 

Trick 2. — As declarant has another diamond, East does 
not hold up the King, as the suit must make, since dummy- 
has a re-entry. 

Trick 3. — Opponents having partner's suit twice 
stopped, East decides to abandon the suit. If declarant 
has both Ace and Queen of hearts and takes the heart 
finesse, he must make two heart, two spade and four dia- 
mond tricks, or game counting the spade trick already 
made. But to save game by leading the club suit would 
mean, not only that declarant cannot take a club trick but 
that partner holds more than three clubs. As it is more 
probable partner holds more hearts than clubs, East con- 
cludes his best chance is to lead King of hearts, trusting 
partner has either Ace or Queen. 

Remarks. — The hand belongs in Group III. If the Ace 
and King of clubs are interchanged, declarant would 
still have a strong no-trumper, and East would then have 
saved game, although he did save two tricks by leading 
hearts at trick 3. In the original deal, West held four 
hearts to the Ace 10 with two small clubs and declarer 
three hearts to the Queen together with Ace King Queen 
Jack of clubs, so that East's shift to the heart suit saved 
game. The changes in the hand were made to avoid any 
possible implication that a justifiable shift to another suit 
will always save game. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



251 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all. South deals 

A J 10 7 4 2 
V Q 10 7 3 

* K3 

♦ 64 



GROUP Z 
No. 98 



* AQ6 
V A 6 5 

* A Q J 10 

* J 10 2 




A K93 
V 982 

* 8 5 

♦ A Q 9 83 



A 85 
V K J4 

* 97642 

♦ K75 



Round 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


one no-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


44b 


34 


84 


A4 


2 


44 


34 


K4 


J4 


3 


7V 


2¥ 


K* 


A* 


4 


64 


Q4 


54 


10 4 


5 


24 


A4 


74 


24 


6 


74 


94 


54 


5V 


7 


10 4 


84 


24 


6V 


8 


J4 


94 


44 


Q4 


9 


3¥ 


K4 


64 


64 


10 


3* 


54 


74 


A* 


11 


K A 


8* 


94 


Q4 


12 


QV 


8¥ 


4V 


10 4 


13 


10 ¥ 


9V 


J¥ 


J* 



North and South win three odd tricks 



252 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 99 

Trick 5. — East reasons as partner opened a four-card 
suit, declarant must have held four hearts originally also, 
with at least two honors, probably, and so is as strong in 
the suit if not stronger. It is clear the hand belongs in 
Group III, as he should abandon partner's suit and open 
his own suit. 

Remarks. — The hand plays itself, but if East returns 
his partner's suit, the latter on winning will naturally not 
open clubs and so will have to lead a spade. Declarant 
will then make four odd instead of being set one trick, 
or three odd if West makes the Vienna coup by discarding 
his Ace of clubs, so as not to have to lead away from his 
minor tenace in hearts. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



253 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all. South deals 

A J95 
V A J 8 4 

* AQ3 

♦ 9 6 2 



GROUP Z 

No. 99 



A AKT3 
V X Q 10 9 

* J5 

♦ X 10 4 




AQ862 
V 63 
«982 
♦ Q J53 



A 10 4 
V752 

* X 10 7 6 4 

♦ A87 



Bound 


Dealer 


West 


North 


East 


1 


oneno-trump 


no 


no 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


4V 


3 V 


2V 


9¥ 


2 


24 


34 


7 4 


K4 


3 


6* 


54 


84 


10 4 


4 


94 


J4 


A4 


44 


5 


Q4 


2* 


6* 


54 


6 


A* 


8* 


4* 


J* 


7 


3* 


9* 


10 4 


34 


8 


54 


6V 


K* 


10 V 


9 


9* 


24 


74 


*4 


10 


AV 


6* 


7V 


Q¥ 


11 


J~4 


84 


44 


A4 


12 


8¥ 


Q4 


5? 


EV 


13 


JV 


QA 


10 4 


74 



North and South are set one trick 



254 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 



COMMENTS ON HAND NO. 100 

Trick 4. — Declarant is marked with the deuce of dia- 
monds and East hopes it is the only one he has left. He 
refuses to take the Jack as declarant will then probably 
place the Queen with West and finesse dummy's 10 on 
second round. Then if he has no more diamonds, he can 
never make dummy's suit as East holds King 8 of spades 
over dummy's Queen 7. While holding up the Queen will 
lose a trick if declarant does not again finesse, it is worth 
trying on the chance of saving game. 

Trick 5. — South is in doubt whether to finesse the dia- 
mond again, as it is possible that East held up the Queen 
on the first round, and if so, he may never make another 
diamond trick. If the adverse diamonds are evenly dis- 
tributed, the suit is already established without taking the 
finesse, while if West held more than three diamonds to 
the Queen originally, he would have, or should have, 
covered declarant's lead of the Jack. South has eight 
sure tricks in sight (that is, counting the tricks already 
made) and has to weigh the possibility of West's making 
an error in not covering, against the possibility that East 
is holding up expecting a second finesse. Hence he de- 
cides not to take the second finesse. 

Trick 8. — As West now has not more than one heart 
unless East has blanked his King, and cannot discard a 
club, declarant discards another spade as he can then 
make West lead spades eventually. 

Remarks. — At the time this deal occurred, declarant 
at trick 5 made the second finesse and thus only made 
two odd. If East at trick 4 plays his low diamond nat- 
urally and without hesitation, the chances are, holding 
up the Queen will succeed against many opponents. 



ILLUSTRATIVE HANDS 



255 



UNDESIGNATED DEAL 



The score is love all. North deals 

A J92 
V J73 

* J 10 9 5 

♦ 976 



GROUP Z 

No. 100 



A A 10 4-3 
VAQ5 

* Q 86 2 

♦ J2 




AQ76 
V 982 

* A4 

♦ A K 10 5 3 



4bK85 

VK1064 
*H73 
♦ Q84 



Bound 


Dealer 


East 


South 


West 


1 
2 


one diamond 
no 


no 
no 


one no-trump 


no 



Trick 


West 


North 


East 


South 


1 


J* 


4* 


K# 


2* 


2 


5* 


A* 


7* 


6# 


3 


3V 


2¥ 


4V 


QV 


4 


64 


3* 


4# 


J* 


5 


74 


*♦ 


8t 


24 


6 


9* 


A* 


Q4 


5* 


7 


7* 


10 ♦ 


3* 


34. 


8 


JV 


54 


6V 


4* 


9 


2A 


8V 


10 V 


A¥ 


10 


9* 


9¥ 


54k 


Q* 


11 


10* 


64. 


K ? 


8* 


12 


J* 


Q* 


K4. 


A4. 


13 


9* 


74k 


84. 


10 4k 



North and South win five odd tricks 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 



PREFACE TO LAWS 



In July, 1920, The Whist Club of New York adopted 
and copyrighted a code of Auction Laws which it directed 
should become effective September first, 1920, and author- 
ized an official Preface and Index. Due to the courtesy 
of the Club the full text of the Laws follows, but the 
official Preface and Index are omitted by permission. 

The character of the game of Auction is such that it is 
impossible to draft a code of laws that would furnish 
protection against the tactics of the card sharp, inten- 
tional revoke, or any other form of crooked play. In 
bidding, for example, a player could give valuable in- 
formation by attaching different meanings to the ex- 
pressions, "One Spade", and "A Spade". For players 
who intentionally revoke or are dishonest in other ways 
no penalty that the laws could prescribe would be effec- 
tive, and ostracism is the proper remedy. 

The most noticeable change made by the code of 1920 
is placing the revoke penalty at 50 points or 2 tricks, as 
the case may be. While the revoke penalty may not be 
severe enough in the rare cases wherein the revoke bene- 
fits its maker; since the revoke is not intentional but due 
to carelessness and in most cases does not benefit the 
maker, the new penalty more nearly fits the offence. 

The original laws held that the pair winning two games 
are the rubber winners, even though having a lower score, 
thus giving rise to the expression " Winning a losing 
rubber". This was changed in 1915, but due to some 
opposition the Whist Club in 1917 reversed its decision. 
Now the common sense view that the winners of the 
rubber are the partners who come out ahead, regardless 
of which side happens to win two games, is realized, and 
the original change made by the Whist Club is reinstated. 

All Auction players are urged to comply rigidly with 
the requirements of all laws and to exact all penalties. 
It is clear that it is in the interest of the game to have 
penalties, but to enforce some and not others is apt to 
cause more or less feeling. It is a curious fact that 
most players do not hesitate to enforce the severe penalty 
for a revoke, which as a rule does no harm, yet refrain 
from claiming the penalty allowed for looking at a trick 
after it has been quitted. In the latter case the player 



260 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

obtains improper knowledge of the cards by unfair 
methods, and the penalty for said offence is anything but 
too severe. 

To look at one's cards during the deal is an unfortunate 
habit, as it frequently results in exposed cards and so 
forth, necessitating a new deal. 

For declarer to touch one card in dummy and then 
play some other card is exceedingly annoying and is an 
offence too frequently overlooked. 

Players, therefore, are again urged to respect all laws 
and claim all penalties, especially those provided in Laws 
26 (d), 53 and 61 (e). 

E. E. D. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 

HOW PLAYED 

1. The game of Auction is played by four players, 
two against two playing as partners. Two partners con- 
stitute a side. 

CARDS 

2. Two packs 1 of cards having different backs are 
used. A correct pack contains four suits of thirteen cards 
each; one card of each denomination to a suit. A pack 
becomes imperfect when one or more cards are torn, 
soiled or otherwise so marked that they may be identified 
from their backs. 

RANK OF CARDS 

3. In the play, Ace is high, then King, Queen, Jack, 
Ten, etc.; Deuce being lowest. In drawing cards, Ace 
is low, then Deuce, Trey, etc.; King being highest. 

RANK OF SUITS 

4. In the declaration, 2 Spades are high, Hearts next, 
Diamonds next and Clubs lowest. In drawing cards, as 
between cards of equal denomination, Spades are low, 
Hearts next, Diamonds next, and Clubs highest. 

LEAD 

5. The player at the left of Declarer leads 3 to the 
first trick 4 and thereafter the winner of each trick leads 
to the next. 

TRICK 

6. After the lead, each player in his turn to the left 
plays 3 a card. A trick consists of four cards thus played. 

FOLLOWING SUIT 

7. A player must follow suit, i. e., must play a card 
of the suit led if he have one. When leading, or when 
void of the suit led, he may play any card he holds. 5 



i The game may be played with one pack, legal provisions re- 
quiring two packs being suspended by consent. 

2 In the declaration, No Trump ranks above any suit. 

3 A player leads or plays by placing one of his cards face up- 
ward near the center of the table. 

4 The first lead of a hand, when legally made, is called the 
initial lead. 

5 To "refuse" is to fail to follow suit. To "renounce" (Law 
55) is to refuse when able to follow suit. See Law 56 for 
"revoke." 



262 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

WINNING THE TRICK 

8. A trick is won for his side by the player who, 
(a) if the trick does not contain a trump, 1 plays the 
highest card of the suit led; or who (b) plays the highest 
trump, if the trick contain one or more trumps. A trick 
once turned and quitted 2 may not be looked at 3 until the 
end of the hand. 

ODD TRICKS 

9. Odd tricks are those won by Declarer in excess of 
six tricks. If Declarer fulfil his contract, his side counts 
the value of all odd tricks; otherwise nothing is counted 
in the trick score. 

TRICK VALUES 

10. Odd tricks count in the trick score as follows: 
With Clubs trumps, each counts 6 points. 

With Diamonds " " " 7 

With Hearts " M " 8 

With Spades " " 4 * 9 

With No Trump " "10 

Doubling doubles the above values; redoubling multi- 
plies them by four. 

HAND 

11. A hand 4 begins with the cut 5 and ends when the 
last card is played to the thirteenth trick. 

GAME 

12. A game is won when one side has a trick score of 
thirty (30) or more points. A game may be completed 
in one hand or more; each hand is played out 6 whether 
or not during it the game be won. 

RUBBER 

13. (a) A rubber begins with drawing for partners 
(Law 22) or cutting out (Law 23) and is completed 
when one side has won two games. The side which has 



i As a result of the bidding (Law 30), the hand may be 
played without a trump (i. e., "No Trump") or with one of the 
four suits as the trump. Any trump is a winner as against any 
card of a plain (non-trump) suit. 

2 Footnote to Law 56 (a) defines "quitted." 

3 Law 61 (e) prescribes penalty. 

4 "Hand" is also used to mean the cards held by a player. 
When so used the sense is obvious. Also used to designate 
players, as in "second hand," "third hand," etc. 

5 See Law 25. 

6 All points won are counted whether or not they are needed 
to make game. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION - 263 

won two games adds a bonus of 250 points to its honor- 
score. The side having the greater number of total 
points 1 wins the rubber. 2 

(b) When a rubber is started with the agreement that 
the play shall terminate (i. e., no new hand shall com- 
mence) after a specified time, and the rubber is unfinished 
at that hour; the score is made up as it stands, 125 being 
added to the honor-score of the winners of a game. A 
hand if started must be played out. 

(c) If a rubber be started without any agreement as 
to its termination, and before its conclusion one player 
leave; or if, after such agreement, a player leave before 
the appointed hour without appointing an acceptable 
substitute (Law 21 -a) ; the opponents have the right to 
consult and decide whether the score be canceled or 
counted as in (b). 

HONORS 

14. The Ace, King, Queen, Jack and Ten of the 
trump suit are the honors unless the declaration be No 
Trump, in which case the four Aces are the honors. 
Honors count in the honor-score of the side which re- 
ceived them in the deal. 

HONOR VALUES 

15. Honor values are based on trick values (Law 10). 
They are not increased by doubling (Law 35) or re- 
doubling (Law 36). 

WHEN THERE IS A TRUMP: 

3 honors-3 between partners have value of 2 tricks. 

4 honors between partners have value of 4 tricks 

4 honors held by one partner have value of 8 tricks. 

5 honors, held 3 by one and 2 by other partner, have value of 5 

tricks. 

5 honors, held 4 by one and 1 by other partner, have value of 9 
tricks. 

5 honors held by one partner have value of 10 tricks. 

WHEN THERE IS NO TRUMP : 

3 aces held between partners count 30 points. 

4 « « •« « ». 40 

4 " held by one partner count 100 " 



i See Law 17. 

2 Thus a side may win two games and still lose the rubber, 

•°> "Simple honors" means 3 honors. 



264 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

SLAMS 

16. A side winning all thirteen tricks 1 scores 100 
points for Slam. 2 A side winning twelve tricks 1 scores 
50 points for Little Slam. 3 Slam points are added to the 
honor-score. 4 

SCORING 

17. Each side has a trick-score, which includes only 
points won by odd tricks; and an honor-score for all 
other points, including bonuses for honors, penalties, slams 
and undertricks. 

At the end of the rubber, the total points of a side are 
obtained by adding together its trick-score and honor- 
score. 5 Subtracting the smaller total from the greater, 
gives the net points by which the rubber is won and lost. 6 

A proved error in the honor-score may be corrected at 
any time before the score of the rubber has been made 
up and agreed upon. 

A proved error in the trick-score may be corrected at 
any time before the next declaration begins (Law 29) or, 
if the error occur in the final hand of the rubber, before 
the score has been made up and agreed upon. 

FORMING TABLES 

18. A table consists of four, five or six members, of 
whom four are players. A complete table consists of 
six members. In forming a table, candidates who have 
not played rank first and in the order in which they en- 
tered the room. Candidates who have played but are not 
members of an existing table rank next. Candidates of 
equal standing decide priority by drawing 7 cards. Low 
wins. 

ENTRY 

19. Before the beginning of a rubber 8 a candidate 
may enter any incomplete table by announcing his desire 
to do so and such announcements in the order made en- 
title candidates to places as vacancies occur. In case 
there are more candidates than there are vacancies, the 
provisions of Law 18 apply. 



1 Without counting tricks received as penalty for a revoke. 

2 Also called Grand Slam. 

3 When Declarer's contract is seven and he wins six odd, he 
counts 50 for Little Slam although his contract fail. 

4 Slam or Little Slam may be scored by either side. 

5 The 250 points bonus for winning two games (Law 13-a) is 
included. 

6 Law 13 (a) explains who wins a rubber. 

7 Method of drawing is described in Law 22. 

8 Law 13 (a) stipulates that the rubber begins when any 
player draws either for partners or cutting out. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 265 

MEMBERS LEAVING TABLE 

20. If a member leave a table, he forfeits all his 
rights at said table unless he leave to make up a table 
which cannot be formed without him, and, when leaving, 
announce his intention of returning when his place at the 
new table can be filled. In such case, if he return, he 
has prior rights over any who have joined the table in his 
absence and may displace one of them. When a mem- 
ber 1 leaves a table to make up a new table which cannot 
be formed without him, and does not claim the right to 
retain his membership in the old table, he shall be the last 
to draw out of the new table. 

PLAYERS LEAVING TABLES 

21. (a) A player leaving a table may, with the con- 
sent of the other three players, appoint a substitute to 
play in his absence ; such appointment becomes void upon 
return of said player or upon conclusion of the rubber. 
In any case, the substitute when released regains all his 
previous rights. 

(b) A player who withdraws from a table of four at 
the end of a rubber; or who, after availing himself of the 
privileges of paragraph (a) fails to return before the 
end of the rubber, thus breaking up the table; cannot 
claim entry elsewhere as against the other three players 
from that table. 

DRAWING FOR PARTNERS AND DEAL 

22. A table having been formed, the members draw 2 
cards. He who draws lowest becomes the dealer of the 
first deal and has choice of packs and seats. 3 He who 
draws second lowest is Dealer's partner and sits opposite 
him. The third lowest has choice of the two remaining 
seats; fourth lowest takes the remaining one. The 
members, if any, who draw higher than fourth lowest, re- 
main members of the table but do not play in the current 
rubber. 

In all cases when drawing cards, should any one show 
two or more cards, he must draw again. 

A player having made choice of packs or seats must 
abide by his decision. 



i Should two members make up a new table, both rank ahead 
of the others. 

2 One pack is spread face downward on the table and each 
member draws one card. All draw from the same pack. 

3 A player may consult his partner before choosing. 



266 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

CUTTING OUT 

23. If at the end of a rubber a table consist of five 
or six members, the players who have played the greatest 
number of consecutive rubbers are the first to lose their 
places as players (but do not lose their standing as mem- 
bers). The draw (Law 22) decides between claimants of 
equal standing; low wins. 

THE SHUFFLE 

24. After drawing for partners, second hand 1 shuffles 
the pack which Dealer has chosen (Law 22) and third 
hand 2 shuffles the still pack 3 Thereafter, at the be- 
ginning of each deal, third hand shuffles the still pack. 4 
After being shuffled, the still pack is placed between 
second and third hands where it remains until the next 
deal. 

During the shuffle, the pack must not be held below the 
table nor so that the face of any card may be seen. 

Dealer has the right to shuffle last, but must not 
shuffle after the cut except as in 25 (b). 

The deal must not proceed until the pack has been 
shuffled as herein provided. 

THE CUT 

25. (a) Dealer, immediately before the deal, places 
the pack before his right-hand opponent who lifts off the 
top portion and places it beside the bottom portion, 
preferably toward Dealer who then places the bottom 
portion on top. This constitutes the cut. 4 

(b) If the cut leave fewer than four cards in the top 
or bottom portion; or if during it any card be faced or 
displaced; or there be any doubt as to where the pack 
was divided; or any player shuffle after the cut; there 
must be a new shuffle and a new cut. 4 

THE DEAL 

26. (a) The deal begins after the cut and ends when 
the last card has been placed in proper order in front of 
Dealer. 

(b) After the first deal, players deal in turn to the 



i The player on Dealer's left. 

2 Third hand is Dealer's partner. 

3 The "still pack" is the one not being dealt, or used in the 
play of the hand. 

4 A player may not cut or shuffle for partner if either opponent 
obiect. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 267 

left. A player may not deal for his partner if either 
opponent object. 

(c) Dealer gives the first card to the player on his 
left and so on until all fifty-two cards are dealt, the last 
one to Dealer. 

(d) A player may not look at any of his cards during 
the deal. Penalty, 25 points in the adverse honor-score. 

NEW DEAL (Compulsory) 

27. There must be a new deal. 1 

(a) If the cards be not dealt into four distinct packets 
in accordance with Law 26 (c). 

(b) If, during the deal, any card be found faced in the 
pack or be exposed on, above or below the table. 

(c) If it be discovered during the hand that more than 
thirteen cards were dealt to any player. 

(d) If, during the hand, one player hold more than the 
proper number of cards and another less. 

(e) If, during the hand, the pack be proved incorrect 
(Law 2). The pack is not incorrect on account of a 
missing card or cards if it or they be found in the still 
pack, among the quitted tricks, below the table, or in 
any other place which makes it possible that such card or 
cards were part of the pack during the deal. Any player 
may search anywhere for missing cards, including the 
still pack and the quitted tricks (face downward). See 
also Law 56 (e). 

NEW DEAL (Optional) 2 

28. During the deal any player who has not looked at 
any of his cards may demand a new deal: 3 

(f ) If the deal be out of turn, 

(g) If the pack be imperfect (Law 2), 

A new deal may be demanded by either of dealer's 
opponents 4 who has not looked at any of his cards: 

(h) If Dealer omit the cut, 

(i) If Dealer deal with wrong pack. 



i Always by the same dealer, and with the same pack except 
(e) when a missing card is not found. See Law 62 regarding 
new cards. 

2 A new deal may also be demanded under- Laws 37 (d), 37 (e) 
and 54 (i). 

3 By the same dealer except as in (f ), and with the same pack 
except as in (g) and (i). 

4 "Opponent" is always used in the general sense ; 
"Adversary" is always an opponent of Declarer. 



268 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

If any player, after looking at a card, make a claim 
under this law; or, if no claim be made; the deal stands 
as regular, and the player to the left deals next. In case 
of a deal with the wrong pack (i), the next dealer may 
choose either pack for the remainder of the rubber. 

THE DECLARATION 

29. The declaration 1 begins when the deal ends and 
ends when all four players pass 2 (Law 38) their first 
opportunity to declare 3 or, after a bid, (Law 30) when 
three players in succession have legally passed. The first 
legal act of the declaration is a bid or pass by the dealer. 
Thereafter each player in his turn to the left must pass, 
bid if no bid has been made previously, make a higher bid 4 
if a bid has been made previously, double the last bid 
made by an opponent or redouble an opponent's double 
provided no bid has intervened. 

BID DEFINED 

30. A bid is made by specifying any number from 
one (1) to seven (7) inclusive, together with the name of 
a suit or No Trump; thereby offering to contract that 
with such suit as trump or with No Trump, the bidder 
will win at least the specified number of odd tricks. 

HIGHER BID DEFINED 

31. To make a "higher bid" a player must (a) name 
a greater number 5 of odd tricks in a suit or No Trump 
than the number named in the last previous bid, or (b) 
name at least an equal number of odd tricks in a suit of 
higher rank (Law 4) than the suit named in the previous 
bid. 

INSUFFICIENT BID 

32. A bid following any previous bid is "insufficient" 
if it is not "higher" according to Law 31. 

When an insufficient bid is made: 

(a) The insufficient bidder, if he do so before an op- 
ponent has declared or called attention to the ^sufficiency, 
may make the bid sufficient by changing the number of 
odd tricks named, in which case the declaration proceeds 
as if the bid had been sufficient. 



i Declaration also means either bid, double, pass, or redouble. 

2 The player next in turn then deals with his own pack. 

3 To declare means to bid, double, pass or redouble. 

4 Law 31 defines "higher bid." 

5 Seven is the greatest number that may be named. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION ■ 269 

(b) When either opponent calls attention to an in- 
sufficient bid before it is changed, the insufficient bidder 
must make his bid sufficient by increasing the number 1 
of odd tricks named; and if the player on the left of the 
insufficient bidder then pass, the partner of the insufficient 
bidder must pass and may not re-enter the declaration 
unless an opponent subsequently bid or double. 

(c) If neither opponent call attention to the insufficien- 
cy and the player on the left of the insufficient bidder 
either bid, double or pass, the previous insufficiency is 
waived. 

(d) Either opponent, after the bid has been made 
sufficient as provided in (b), may in turn make a higher 2 
bid, in which case the declaration proceeds as if no bid 
had been insufficient. 

BID OUT OF TURN DEFINED 

33. A bid is out of turn, 3 (not an illegitimate bid, 
Law 41): 

(a) If, before Dealer declares, a bid be made by any- 
other player. 

(b) If, after Dealer declares, any player bid otherwise 
than in his turn. 

BID OUT OF TUEN PENALIZED 

34. After a bid out of turn: 

(a) Either opponent of the offender may cancel it. 
The proper player then proceeds with the declaration, 4 
the out-of-turn bid being ignored, but the partner of the 
out-of-turn bidder must thereafter pass whenever his 
turn comes. 5 

(b) When the player on the left of the out-of-turn 
bidder declares before the improper bid is canceled, the 
out-of-turn bid is thereby accepted as if made in turn 
and there is no penalty. 

(c) When the player on the right of the out-of-turn 
bidder is the proper declarer and declares 6 without other- 



i Not exceeding seven. 

2 i. e., Higher than the bid after it has been made sufficient. 

3 When a bid is out of turn and also insufficient (Law 32), 
either opponent may elect to apply either Law 32 (b) or Law 
34 (a). 

4 The "proper player" must pass if he is the partner of the 
player in error. 

5 The offending player, as he has not received improper in- 
formation, may subsequently declare in turn. 

6 When he doubles, it is a double of the last legal bid. 



270 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

wise canceling the improper bid, such act cancels the out- 
of-turn bid and (a) applies. 

DOUBLE DEFINED 

35. When, during the declaration and in proper turn, 
a player doubles, it doubles the trick value (Law 10) of 
the last previous bid. Doubling does not change bidding 
values (Laws 4 and 31), nor the values of honors (Law 
15), Slam or Little Slam (Law 16.) 

REDOUBLE DEFINED 

36. When, during the declaration, and in proper turn, 
a player redoubles, it doubles the double (Law 35) ; that 
is, it multiplies the original trick value (Law 10) by four. 
A redouble, like a double, affects only trick values (Law 
35). 

IMPROPER DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES 

37. The penalties for improper doubles or redoubles 
follow : 

(a) A double or redouble before a bid has been made 
is void. 

(b) A double or redouble after the declaration ends: 
Law 41 (a) prescribes the penalty. 

(c) A double or redouble made when it is the turn of 
the right-hand opponent to declare is subject to the same 
penalty as a bid out of turn (Law 34-a) unless the partner 
of the offender has passed the bid involved, in which case 
the double or redouble is void and there is no penalty. 

(d) A double or redouble when it is partner's turn to 
declare may be accepted by the opponents, after consulta- 
tion, as if it had been in turn; or they may demand a new 
deal; or call the bid that was doubled final and elect 
whether the double or redouble stand. Any of these 
penalties may be exacted even though the partner of the 
offender call attention to the error; but, if the player to 
the left of the offender declare, he thereby accepts the 
out-of-turn double or redouble. 

(e) A double of a double is a redouble; a redouble 
when there has been no double is a double; a redouble of 
a redouble is void and is penalized by a new deal or 100 
points in the adverse honor-score. Doubling a partner's 
bid or redoubling a partner's double is penalized by 50 
points in the adverse honor-score. Either opponent may 
exact any of these penalties. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 271 

PASS DEFINED 

38. When, during the declaration and in proper turn, 
a player passes; the turn to declare is thereby passed to 
the next player to the left. 

PASS OUT OF TURN DEFINED 

39. A pass is out of turn: 

(a) If made before Dealer declares; 

(b) If made (after Dealer declares) by any player 
except in turn. 

PASS OUT OF TURN PENALIZED 

40. After a pass out of turn: 

(a) If the opponent at the left of the offending player 
declare 1 before attention is called to the error, the pass 
is accepted as regular. 

(b) If an opponent call attention to the error, the 
pass is void and the player whose turn it was, when the 
error was made, resumes the declaration ; but the offending 
player may not thereafter bid, double or redouble unless 
the declaration he passed be overbid, doubled or re- 
doubled. 

ILLEGITIMATE DECLARATIONS 

41. (a) A bid, double or redouble made after the 
declaration is ended is not penalized if made by Declarer 
or his partner. But should the error be committed by an 
adversary, Declarer may call a lead from the partner of 
the offending player the first time it is the turn of said 
partner to lead. 

(b) When a player who has been debarred from bid- 
ding or doubling, either bids, doubles or redoubles, either 
opponent may decide whether or not such bid, double or 
redouble stand; and, in either case, both the offending 
player and his partner must thereafter pass. 

(c) A pass after the declaration is ended is void. 

DECLARING AND CHANGING 

42. If a player pass, bid, double, or redouble, and then 
attempt to change 2 to some other form of declaration or 



i See footnote to Law 29, which provides that a pass is a 
declaration. 

2 A player who inadvertently says "No Bid," meaning to say 
"No Trump" (or vice versa) ; or who inadvertently says "Spade," 
"Heart," "Diamond" or "Club." meaning to name another of 
these ; may correct his mistake, provided the next player has 
not declared. "Inadvertently" refers to a slip of the tongue, not 
a change of mind. 



272 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

attempt to change the size of a sufficient bid, such at- 
tempted change may be penalized as a bid out of turn. 1 

REPEATED ERRORS 

43. When any player commits an error for which a 
penalty is provided in Laws 32, 34, 37, 40, 41, or 42 at a 
time when an error has previously been committed under 
those laws, for which the penalty has not already been 
fully paid : 

(a) If the previous error was committed by the other 
side, the penalty for it (or as much as remains unpaid) is 
canceled and the side newly in error is liable for the 
penalty provided for the new offense; 

(b) If the previous error was committed by the same 
side, the opponents, after consultation, may elect which 
error to penalize. 

CARDS EXPOSED DURING DECLARATION 

44. If, during the declaration, 2 any player lead or 
expose 3 a card, such card must be left face upward on 
the table and the partner of the player in error must 
thereafter pass whenever it is his turn to declare. 

If the player in error later become Declarer or Dummy, 
the card in question is no longer exposed; otherwise it 
remains an exposed card until played. 

If the player on the left of the player in error later 
become Declarer he may, on the first trick, forbid a lead 
of the suit of the exposed card. 4 

CONTRACT AND DECLARER 

45. With the completion of the declaration, the side 
which has made the highest bid assumes a contract to 
win at least the number of odd tricks 5 named in said bid: 
the partner of that side who first named the suit or No 
Trump specified in said bid is Declarer. 

For every trick Declarer falls short of his contract, the 
adversaries score 50 points in their honor-score for under- 
tricks. All tricks won by adversaries beyond their "book" 
are undertricks. The adversaries' book is the number of 
the bid subtracted from seven. Declarer's book is his 



i Unless it be an attempt to change the third or fourth con- 
secutive pass which closes the declaration (Law 29). 

2 Law 29 specifies when the declaration begins and ends. 

3 Law 51 defines exposed cards. 

4 When two or more cards are exposed, all are subject to the 
provisions of Law 44, but the Declarer may not forbid the lead 
of more than three suits. 

5 Law 9 provides that Declarer whose contract fails, scores 
nothing for tricks. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 273 

first six tricks. In case of a double, the undertricks 
count 100 each; in case of redouble they count 200 each. 
When there is a double and Declarer fulfills his con- 
tract, he counts in his honor-score a bonus of 50 points; 
and a further bonus of 50 points for each trick, if any, 
that he wins beyond the number called for by the con- 
tract. When there is a redouble, these bonuses are 100 
points each instead of 50. * 

THE PLAY 

46. After the declaration, the play proceeds according 
to Law 5. Until the initial lead has been legally made, 
Declarer's partner is not subject to any of the limitations 2 
imposed upon Dummy. 

DUMMY 

47. As soon as the initial lead is legally made, De- 
clarer's partner places his cards face upward on the 
table and becomes Dummy. 3 Declarer plays Dummy's 
cards as well as his own. Dummy takes no part in the 
play and has no rights except as provided in Laws 48 
and 49. 

DUMMY'S RIGHTS (Unconditional) 

48. Dummy always has the right: 

(a) To call attention to the fact that too many or too 
few cards have been played to a trick, 

(b) To call attention to the fact that the wrong side 
has gathered in a trick, 

(c) To ask Declarer whether he have any of a suit he 
has refused, 4 

(d) To correct an error in the score, 

(e) To participate in the discussion of any disputed 
question of fact after it has arisen between Declarer and 
an adversary, 

(f ) To correct an improper claim of either adversary, 

(g) To assist Declarer as allowed by Law 54 (j). 

DUMMY'S RIGHTS (Conditional) 

49. If Dummy have not intentionally looked at a card 



i These bonuses are in addition to the increased trick score, 
see Law 10. 

2 Except consultation as to the penalty provided in Law 54 fa). 

3 "Dummy" is sometimes used in the obvious sense of dum- 
my's cards. 

4 '"Refuse" is defined in footnote to Law 7. 



274 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

held by any player, he has the following additional rights : 

(h) To claim an adverse revoke, 

(i) To call attention to an adverse lead out of turn, 

(j) To call attention to a card exposed by an adversary, 

(k) To call Declarer's attention to any right he may 
have under the laws, 

(1) To suggest playing out the hand when Declarer 
would concede any of the remaining tricks (Law 59-b). 

DUMMY PENALIZED 

50. (m) Should Dummy call attention to any matter 
involving a right of Declarer or a penalty incurred by the 
adversaries, said matter not being covered by Law 48, 
paragraphs (a) to (g) ; or should he, after having in- 
tentionally looked at a card held by any player, seek to 
exercise any of the rights mentioned in Law 49, para- 
graphs (h) to (1) ; then such right or penalty is canceled 
and may not be exercised or exacted. 

(n) Should Dummy, by touching a card or otherwise, 
suggest a play by Declarer; either adversary may require 
Declarer to make such play (if legal) or to refrain from 
making it. 

(o) Should Dummy warn Declarer that he is about to 
lead from the wrong hand, either adversary may designate 
the hand from which Declarer shall lead. 

EXPOSED CARDS 

51. The following are "exposed" cards — 

(a) Two or more cards led or played simultaneously 
(all are exposed) ; 

(b) A card dropped face upward on the table, even if 
snatched up so quickly that it cannot be named; 1 

(c) A card dropped elsewhere than on the table if the 
partner sees its face; 2 

(d) A card so held by a player that his partner sees 
any portion of its face; 2 

(e) A card mentioned by either adversary as being in 
his own or his partner's hand. 



i If an adversary throw his cards face upward on the table, 
they are exposed (except as in 59a) and liable to be called; but 
if the other adversary retain his hand, he cannot be forced to 
expose it. 

2 The fact that an opponent sees it, does not make it an ex- 
posed card. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 275 

(f) If an adversary who has legally played to the 
twelfth trick, show his thirteenth card before his partner 
plays his twelfth, the partner's two cards are exposed; 

(g) A card designated by any law as "exposed." 

CALLING EXPOSED CARDS 

52. After a card has been "exposed" as defined in Law 
51, it must be left face upward on the table and Declarer 
may "call" it (i. e., require its owner to lead or play it) 1 
at any time when it is the owner's turn to lead or play, 
except when the playing of the "called" card would cause 
the holder to renounce. 

Declarer may call an exposed card any number of times 
until it may be legally played, but the owner may play it 
even if not called. 

PLAY OF DECLARER AND DUMMY 

53. A card from Declarer's hand is not played or led 
until quitted. 2 If Declarer name or touch a card in Dum- 
my he must play it. 3 If he touch two or more cards 
simultaneously, he may play either. 

Declarer and Dummy are not liable to the call of ex- 
posed cards. 4 

LEADS OUT OF TURN AND CARDS PLAYED IN 

ERROR 

54. (a) After the declaration and before a legal 
initial lead, should the partner of the proper leader lead 
or expose a card, Declarer may either call a lead 5 from the 
proper leader or treat the card 6 as exposed. Declarer's 
partner may call Declarer's attention to the offense but, 
should they consult regarding the penalty, it is canceled. 
Should Declarer's partner spread any part of his hand 
before Declarer selects the penalty, Declarer may not call 
a lead. 

(b) Should an adversary who has played a card which, 
as against Declarer and Dummy, is a winner, lead another 
or several such winning cards without waiting for his 
partner to play; Declarer may require said adversary's 



i Declarer and Dummy are not liable (Law 53). 

2 A card is "quitted" when the player no longer touches it. 

3 Unless Declarer say "I arrange," or words to that effect ; or 
unless his touching the card is obviously for the purpose of un- 
covering a partly hidden one or to enable him to get at the 
card he wishes to play. 

4 But see Law 54 (a). 

5 If the player called on to lead a suit have none of it the 
penalty is paid. 

6 Or cards. 



276 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

partner to win, if he can, the first or any of these tricks, 
after which the remaining card or cards thus led are 
exposed. 

(c) Should the adversaries lead simultaneously, the 
correct lead stands and the other is an exposed card. 

(d) Should Declarer lead out of turn either from his 
own hand or Dummy, either adversary may direct that the 
error be rectified, but Declarer may not rectify it unless 
so directed. 

(e) After a lead by Declarer or Dummy, should fourth 
hand play before second hand; Declarer may require 
second hand to play his highest or lowest card of the suit 
led, or to win or lose the trick. 1 If second hand have 
none of the suit led, Declarer may call his highest of any 
designated suit. If second hand hold none of the suit 
called, the penalty is paid. 

(f) Should Declarer lead from his own or Dummy's 
hand and then play from the other hand before second 
hand plays, fourth hand may play before second hand 
without penalty. 

(g) Should any player (including Dummy) lead out of 
turn and next hand 2 play without claiming the penalty, 
the lead stands as regular. 

(h) If an adversary lead out of turn, Declarer may call 
a lead as soon as it is the turn of either adversary to 
lead or may treat the card so led as exposed. 

(i) If a player (not Dummy) omit playing to a trick 
and then play to a subsequent trick, Declarer or either 
adversary (as the case may be) may demand a new deal 
whenever the error is discovered. If no new deal be 
demanded, the surplus card at the end of the hand is 
considered played to the imperfect trick but does not 
constitute a revoke therein. 

(j) Whenever it is suspected that any of the quitted 
tricks contains more than four cards, any player (in- 
cluding Dummy) may count them face downward. If 
any be found to contain a surplus card and any player be 
short, either opponent may face the trick, select the sur- 
plus card and restore it to the player who is short; but 
this does not change the ownership of the trick. The 
player who was short is answerable for revoke as provided 
in Law 56 (e). 



i Except as provided in (f). 

2 Declarer accepts wrong lead if he play next either from his 
own or Dummy's hand. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 277 

RENOUNCE 

55. When a player, having one or more cards of the 
suit led, plays a card of different suit, his act constitutes 
a renounce. 1 

REVOKE DEFINITIONS 

56. A renounce (Law 55) becomes a revoke and 
subject to penalty (Law 57) : 

(a) When the trick in which it occurs is turned and 
quitted 2 by the rightful winners, except as provided in 
Law 58 (c) ; 

(b) When the renouncing player or his partner, 
whether in turn or otherwise, leads or plays to the follow- 
ing trick; 

(c) When one side having claimed a revoke either 
opponent mixes the cards before the claimant has had 
reasonable opportunity to examine them. 

(d) When a player has incurred a penalty requiring 
him to play the highest or lowest of a suit, or to win or 
lose a trick, or to lead a certain suit, or to refrain from 
playing a certain suit, and fails to act as directed when 
able to do so; he incurs the revoke penalty. 

(e) If at any time a player be found to have less than 
his correct number of cards, and the other three have 
their correct number; the missing card or cards, if found 
(see also Laws 27-e and 54-j), belong to the player 3 who 
is short and, unless he be Dummy, he is answerable for 
any revoke or revokes as if the missing card or cards had 
been in his hand continuously. 

REVOKE PENALTY 

57. The penalty for each revoke is: 

(a) When Declarer revokes, he cannot score for tricks 
and his adversaries, in addition to any bonus for under- 
tricks 4 , add 50 points to their honor-score for each revoke. 

(b) When either adversary revokes, Declarer for the 
first revoke may either score 50 points in his honor-score 



1 See also "refuse," Law 7, footnote. 

2 A trick is "quitted" when it is turned and the player no 
longer touches it. 

3 The fact that such player made no claim of irregularity at 
the time of the deal is conclusive, in the absence of evidence to 
the contrary, that the missing cards were dealt to him. 

4 The fact that Declarer revokes does not permit adversaries 
to score for undertricks, provided Declarer has won (even with 
the help of the revoke) at least the number of tricks called for 
by his contract. 



278 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

or take two tricks 1 from his adversaries and add them to 
his own. 2 Such tricks may assist Declarer to make good 
his contract, but shall not entitle him to any further 
bonus 3 in the honor-score by reason of the bid having 
been doubled or redoubled; nor to a Slam or Little Slam 
not otherwise obtained. For each revoke after the first, 
Declarer adds 50 points to his honor-score. 

(c) The value of honors as held is the only score that 
can be made by a revoking side unless both sides revoke; 
if one side revoke more than once, the other scores 50 
for each extra revoke. 

REVOKE AVOIDED 

58. A renounce (Law 55) may be corrected, and the 
revoke (Law 57) avoided, under the following circum- 
stances : 

(a) If made by Dummy, the renounce may be corrected 
before the trick is turned and quitted. After the trick 
has been turned and quitted, whether by the rightful 
winners or otherwise, the renounce may not be corrected. 
In neither case is there any penalty. 

(b) A renouncing player, other than Dummy, may not 
correct his error (except as in c) after the trick is turned 
and quitted nor after he or his partner has led or played 
to the following trick. If the correction be made in time, 
there is no revoke penalty; but the player in error (ex- 
cept as in e) may be required to play his highest or 
lowest card of the suit led. Any player, who played 
after the renounce, may withdraw his card and substitute 
another. 

(c) If, before the trick is turned and quitted, the 
partner of the renouncing player ask him whether he 
have any 4 of the suit refused, subsequent turning and 
quitting does not establish a revoke until the renouncing 
player has answered in the negative, or until he or his 
partner has led or played to the following trick. 

(d) If the renouncing player be an adversary and the 
renounce be corrected in time, declarer instead of calling 
the highest or lowest may treat the card played in error 
as exposed. 



i The value of the two tricks — undoubted, doubled or redoubled 
as the case may be — is counted in the trick score. 

2 Dummy may advise Declarer which penalty to exact. 

3 They may enable him to win a game and, if that game end 
the rubber give him the 250 points bonus. 

4 Or none. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 279 

(e) The highest or lowest may not be called from 
Declarer unless the adversary to his left have played to 
the trick after the renounce. 

(f) Should Dummy leave the table after requesting 
protection from revokes, 1 Declarer cannot be penalized, 
following a renounce, unless an adversary in due time 
call the renounce to his attention. 

(g) The revoke penalty cannot be claimed after the 
next ensuing cut (Law 25) ; nor, if the revoke occur 
during the last hand of a rubber, after the score has been 
agreed upon; nor if there have been a draw for any pur- 
pose in connection with the next rubber (e. g., as in 
Law 23). 

CLAIMING AND CONCEDING TRICKS 

59. (a) If Declarer say "I have the rest," or any 
words indicating the remaining tricks or any number 
thereof are his; either adversary may require him to place 
his cards face upward on the table and play out the hand. 
Declarer cannot then take any finesse, not previously 
proven a winner, 2 unless he announced it when making his 
claim; nor may he call any cards either adversary has 
exposed. 

(b) If Declarer concede one or more tricks, and either 
adversary accept the concession before Dummy lawfully 
demands that the hand be played out (Law 49-1), such 
trick or tricks belong to adversaries even though, had the 
hand been played out, Declarer could not have lost them. 

(c) If an adversary concede a trick or tricks to De- 
clarer, and such concession be accepted before the other 
adversary objects, it is binding on both adversaries. 

PENALTIES AND CONSULTATION 

60. Laws which give "either partner/' "either oppo- 
nent," etc., the right to exact a penalty do not permit 
consultation. 

(a) If either partner suggest or name a penalty he is 
deemed to have selected it. 

(b) If either direct the other to select a penalty, the 
latter must do so ; and, if an attempt be made to refer the 
privilege back, the penalty is canceled. 



i Sometimes called "courtesies of the table." 

2 "Proven a winner" means that the adversary who plays last 
to the trick in which the finesse is to be taken, has previously 
refused that suit ; the fact that a finesse in the same suit has 
previously won is not enough. 



280 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

(c) If either says (in effect), "Which of us is to select 
the penalty ?" the penalty is canceled. 

(d) A proper penalty once selected may not be 
changed. 

(e) If a wrong penalty be selected, 1 the selection must 
be corrected upon request of either opponent. 

(f ) If a wrong penalty be selected and paid without 
challenge, the selection may not be changed. 

(g) A reasonable time must be allowed for the selec- 
tion of a penalty, and the selection must be made within 
a reasonable time. 

(h) If, instead of exacting a penalty at the proper 
time, either opponent of the side in error play or declare, 
no penalty may be exacted. 

INFORMATION 

61. (a) During the declaration, information must be 
given concerning its details up to that time, but, after it 
is ended, should either adversary or Dummy inform his 
partner regarding any detail of the declaration except 
the contract, Declarer or either adversary (as the case 
may be) may call a lead the next time it is the turn of 
the offending side to lead. At any time during the play, 
any player inquiring must be informed what the contract 
is. 

(b) Any player except Dummy may, before a trick is 
turned and quitted, demand that the cards so far played 
be placed before their respective players; but should 
either adversary, in the absence of such demand, in any 
way call attention to his own card or to the trick, De- 
clarer may require the partner of the offender to play his 
highest or lowest card of the suit led, or to win or lose 
the trick. 

(c) Either adversary, but not Dummy (Law 50-o), may 
call his partner's attention to the fact that he is about to 
play or lead out of turn; but if, during the play, an ad- 
versary make any unauthorized reference to any incident 
thereof, or to the location of any card, Declarer may call 
the next lead when it becomes an adversary's turn. 2 

(d) If before or during the declaration a player give 
any unauthorized information concerning his hand, his 



1 If the "penalty" selected be something not described in the 
Laws, no penalty may be exacted. 

2 Any such reference by Dummy, may be similarly penalized 
by either adversary. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION 281 

partner may be barred from subsequent participation in 
the declaration. 

(e) The penalty for looking at quitted tricks (except 
where the Laws permit examination) is 25 points in the 
adverse honor-score for each offense. 

NEW CARDS 

62. One new pack must be produced to replace an 
incorrect one (Law 27-e) or an imperfect one (Law 28-g). 
Otherwise, when new cards are demanded, two packs must 
be furnished and the opponents of the player demanding 
them have the choice, unless the demand be made at the 
beginning of a rubber, in which case Dealer has the choice. 

Except under Laws 27 (e) and 28 (g), new cards may 
not be introduced during a deal. (See Law 26-a.) 



THE ETIQUETTE OF AUCTION 

In the game of Auction slight intimations may convey 
improper information. To offend against etiquette is 
more serious than to offend against a law; for in the 
latter case the offender is subject to prescribed penalties; 
in the former his opponents are without redress. 

1. Declarations should be made in a simple manner, 
thus: "one Heart," "one No Trump," "pass," "double"; 
they should be made without emphasis. 

2. Except by his legitimate declaration, a player 
should not indicate by word, manner or gesture the nature 
of his hand, nor his approval or disapproval of a play, 
bid, or double. 

3. If a player demand that the cards be placed, he 
should do so for his own information and not to call his 
partner's attention to any card or play. 

4. An adversary should not lead until the preceding 
trick has been turned and quitted; nor, after having led a 
winning card, should he draw another from his hand 
before his partner has played to the current trick. 



282 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

5. A card should not be played in such manner as to 
draw attention to it, nor should a player detach one card 
from his hand and subsequently play another. 

6. A player should not purposely incur a penalty nor 
should he make a second revoke to conceal a first. 

7. Conversation which may annoy players at the 
table or at other tables in the room should be avoided. 

8. Dummy should not leave his seat to watch his 
partner play nor call attention to the score. 

9. If Declarer say, "I have the rest," or any words 
indicating that the remaining tricks, or any number 
thereof, are his, and an adversary exposes his cards, De- 
clarer should not allow any information so obtained to 
influence his play. 

10. A player having been cut out of one table should 
not seek admission in another unless willing to cut for the 
privilege of entry. 



INDEX TO LAWS 

Bid Defined 0O 268 

Bid Out of Turn Defined 269 

Bid Out of Turn Penalized 269 

Calling Exposed Cards 275 

Cards 261 

Cards Exposed During Declaration 272 

Claiming and Conceding Tricks 279 

Contract and Declarer 272 

Cut, The 266 

Cutting Out 266 

Deal, The 266 

Declaration, The 268 

Declaring and Changing 271 

Double Defined 270 

Drawing for Partners and Deal 265 

Dummy 273 

Dummy's Rights (Unconditional) 273 

Dummy's Rights (Conditional) 273 

Dummy Penalized 274 

Entry 264 

Etiquette of Auction, The 281 

Exposed Cards 274 

Following Suit 261 

Forming Tables 264 

Game 262 

Hand 262 

Higher Bid Defined 268 

Honors 263 

Honor Values 263 

How Played 261 

Illegitimate Declarations 271 

Improper Doubles and Redoubles 270 

Information 280 

Insufficient Bid 268 

Lead 261 

Leads Out of Turn and Cards Played in Error 275 



284 THE PLAY OF AUCTION HANDS 

Members Leaving Table 265 

New Cards 281 

New Deal (Compulsory) 267 

New Deal (Optional) 267 

Odd Tricks 262 

Pass Denned 271 

Pass Out of Turn Defined 271 

Pass Out of Turn Penalized 271 

Penalties and Consultation 279 

Play, The 273 

Play of Declarer and Dummy 275 

Players Leaving Tables 265 

Rank of Cards 261 

Rank of Suits 261 

Redouble Defined 270 

Renounce 277 

Repeated Errors 272 

Revoke Avoided 278 

Revoke Definitions 277 

Revoke Penalty 277 

Rubber 262 

Scoring 264 

Shuffle, The 266 

Slams 264 

Trick 261 

Trick Values 262 

Winning the Trick 262 



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